Finding optimal home care for a loved one can be stressful for the whole family. It is crucial to determine the exact care that is needed and to find the person the most qualified to provide that care. There is an avalanche of information, services, and types of home care available. However, this article will make this difficult process much easier. Once you know what home care is and what home care services can offer, you can rest assured that you or your loved one is getting the best care possible.

Available Home Care Services

When someone has medical challenges and does not need nursing home care, staying at home enhances their quality of life and protects them from avoidable hospitalizations. Some of the situations in which home care is the best choice include the following: 

1. Senior care
2. Recovery from an illness or injury
3. Chronic medical issues
4. Disabilities or special needs

Types of Home Care Obtainable in Pennsylvania

It’s necessary to determine the level of care that is needed for each individual situation. Some people might just need companionship, light housekeeping, and rides to medical appointments. Others might need non-medical assistance that would include home care assistance and help with mobility issues. People in these situations would benefit from the services of a home health aide. There are also cases in which a person is fairly independent and just needs occasional assistance and companionship. Serious medical issues such as debilitating injuries, chronic illnesses, or disabilities might require the services of a registered nurse or an LPN. Most lay people are not trained to use or monitor highly technical equipment and the skills of a trained professional are necessary. A critical component of home care 101 is knowing when to ask for help. There is a wide variety of home care services for seniors available in Pennsylvania. 

What Home Care Services Offer

The daily movements that we take for granted in our everyday lives become burdensome when one is physically or mentally challenged.  

When the activities of daily living (ADL’s)  become cumbersome or impossible or when specialized services are needed for specific medical needs, it is imperative that the right professional is selected to provide that specialized care. Your healthcare provider can help you evaluate the medical criteria so you know which professional will provide optimal care for you or a loved one. 

Some of the services provided by a companion or health aide might include the following:

• Fall prevention – transferring from one place to another, moving around the house
• Basic hygiene needs – toileting, bathing, and basic self-care
• Supervision of people with varying forms of cognitive impairment 
• Accompaniment to appointments
• Supervision of medication
• Light housekeeping including meal preparation
• Encouragement towards activities
• Companionship

For more acute conditions such as ALS, traumatic brain injury, MS, and spinal cord injury, you might need the services provided by a private duty nurse. Some of the services they provide might include the following: 

• Medication administration
•  Feeding tube or catheter care
• Gastrostomy, tracheostomy, and ostomy care
• Ventilator care

Some of the services provided by home health care professionals may not be needed long-term. Some of them may include various therapies such as occupational therapy, speech therapy, and physical therapy. Short-term nursing needs and medical social work also fall into this category. 

Paying for Home Care Services in Pennsylvania

A description of home care 101 would not be complete without information about financial arrangements.Paying for home care services can be an area of concern, so it’s a good idea to know what your policy covers. It is also essential to know what insurance each home health care agency accepts. 

Companionship and personal care assistance is often paid for by the person receiving care. However, other sources are Medicaid, long-term care insurance, private insurance, workers’ compensation, and veterans’ benefits. 

There are several ways to pay for private duty nursing care such as veterans’ benefits, out-of-pocket payments, Medicaid, private insurance, and workers’ compensation. 

Usually, if a physician orders the services, they are covered by private insurance or Medicare. Not all services are covered by Medicaid, so make sure you check.

 Summary

There are over 1.5 million caregivers with a range of skills and training working in the home care industry. If you or a loved one only need a small amount of help, there are home health aides that provide companionship, light housekeeping, and transportation. If a higher level of care is required, professional nurses and physical and occupational therapists are available. 

Finding care when you are in need can be problematic, especially when care is needed immediately. You don’t want to waste valuable time searching. That is why you need to work with a home care agency that will make your medical needs paramount. Good Hands is a Home Care Agency in Pennsylvania that accepts Medicaid programs. Contact us at 610-285-1095.