According to the National Association for Home and Hospice Care, in 2004 there were 7.6 million people who received home health care services. These individuals received health care in their homes due to an acute illness or long-term disability which required skilled medical care. The goal of home health care is to help patients regain function and maximize their independence after illness or injury.
Services
Home health care services include skilled nursing care, which is nursing care provided by either a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse. This would include medication management, education about drugs or disease, administering IV drugs or shots or changing wound dressings. Home health aide services are care giving services that do not require skilled care, such as bathing or dressing. Other home health care services are skilled therapy services by physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech language pathology. Social services to help with social and emotional care as it relates to your illness can also be included as part of home health care services when prescribed by a doctor. Hospice is also a home health care service in which care for palliative patients can be provided in the home.
Patients
Home health care is for any patient who has experienced an acute illness or injury, which may or may not lead to a long-term disability. Patients who still require some medical care, are able to manage at home, but have difficulty in going out for outpatient care would benefit from home health services. While the older population can receive home health services, the pediatric population can also receive home health care for early intervention for developmental concerns or for skilled nursing and therapies for chronic conditions.
Payment
Home health care services in the United States are paid for by third-party payers. These third-party payers can be public, such as Medicare or Medicaid, or private payers, such as health insurance companies or group health plans, or managed care organizations. Whether public or private, third-party payers set criteria for which patients may be eligible to receive home health care benefits.
Length of Service
Home health care is prescribed by a physician and the length of time of service provided to a patient is determined by assessment by a home health care professional. Regular evaluations ensure that goals for treatment are being met and determine whether home health care services need to be continued.
Benefits
The main benefit for home health care is that it allows patients to recuperate from illness or injury in the comfort and familiarity of their home. It provides support for patients to maintain their independence in their own home. The National Home Care and Hospice Association reports that caring for patients in their home versus skilled nursing facilities is more cost effective, notably in case studies of patients with psychiatric illnesses, veterans with terminal illnesses, patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, and patients with heart failure. In these case studies, patients had a decrease in re-admissions to hospital and a reported increase in satisfaction with their care, which are also significant benefits to home health care.
