Nashville, Tennessee is a leader in health care, and home health care in Nashville is a great alternative for after-hospital care. Insurance companies pay for hospital days according to specific treatment plans. Patients needing continued care after a hospital stay find home health care convenient, competent and cost effective. Physical therapy, IV therapy, pain management and end-of-life care are all home health care options. Home health care companies are private pay or Medicare/Medicaid approved.
Skilled Care
Skilled home health care provides patients in-home care for things they or their family can't take care of on their own. IV antibiotics, wound care, follow-up after surgery or child birth and even speech or occupational therapy are all examples of skilled care. Nashville home health agencies provide skilled care through both private physician and hospital referrals. Continuous Care Services and Friendship Home Health are two of many home health care agencies in Nashville providing skilled care in the greater Nashville area.
Non-skilled Care
Most Nashville home health care agencies also provide non-skilled care through home health aides. Home health aides offer help with bathing, light housekeeping, ambulation or positioning, meal preparation, socialization and blood pressure checks. Home health aides step in when skilled nursing care is no longer needed or isn't enough. Home health care agencies in Nashville must be licensed and certified by the state, so even in the areas of non-skilled care, families can be assured of quality care and services.
Senior Care
One of the fastest growing areas of home health care in Nashville is home care for seniors. In their own home, care for seniors provides piece of mind and continued independence. Home Helpers of Brentwood provides services to seniors in Nashville, Brentwood, Franklin, Bellevue, Belle Meade, Green Hills and surrounding counties in Middle Tennessee. Caregiver Services of Tennessee has offices in Nashville, Murfreesboro and Shelbyville, and satellite offices in Clarksville, Chattanooga and Dickson.
Hospice
Hospice is a highly specialized area of home care and gives help to families facing end-of-life decisions. Nashville physicians refer patients to hospice when they agree with family members that hospice is appropriate. Avalon Hospice is a unique group in that it offers disease-specific hospice care. This provides the patient with the best support and care possible. Avalon has offices in Nashville and the surrounding cities of Cookeville and Dickson. Guardian Hospice has offices in Franklin and serves the greater Nashville area. Along with physicians and nurses, their circle of care approach provides chaplains, home aides, social workers and bereavement coordinators.
Things to Consider
When considering the different levels and types of home health care available in Nashville, it's important to get reliable information. Referrals from physicians, family members and hospital staff are the best way to guarantee quality of care. In March of 2010, the way Tennessee pays for home health services changed, nearly doubling the amount of people eligible for services through their TennCare managed care program. This opened the door for many more home health care companies to increase their size and presence in the Nashville area. This makes trustworthy referrals to home health agencies even more important.
