What is Home Health Care Medication Management

Northeast Ohio Home Health Care is medical services provided in your home to treat a chronic condition or help you recover from surgery or illness. It is prescribed by a doctor and can be covered by Medicare, Medicaid and some private insurance plans.

Start by asking friends, family and neighbors for recommendations of home health agencies they have used. You can also ask your doctor or other healthcare professional.

Personal Care

Home health care is non-medical and includes assistance with the activities of daily living; for example, bathing and dressing; meal preparation; light housekeeping; transportation; and companionship. It may range from just a few hours per week to around-the-clock live-in care. Home health aides are licensed and trained to provide these services.

Home modification help, such as installing stair lifts or ramps, can also be part of home health care. So can medication reminders, special pill boxes, and other devices that make it easier to remember and manage a loved one’s medicine regimen.

Planning ahead for home care is key. It can help reduce stress and ensure your loved one’s needs will be met. And with careful research and guidance from professionals, it’s possible to find a solution that feels right. The best place to start is with your local Area Agency on Aging, which can connect you with community resources and assist you in applying for Medicaid and Veteran’s benefits.

Medication Management

During an initial assessment in your loved one’s home, a skilled nursing home health care agency will create a personalized care plan that includes physicians’ orders. In most cases, a physician will visit your loved one at their place of residence whether that be in their private home, adult foster home, assisted living or residential care facility, memory care or long-term nursing home. This ensures your loved ones receive the medical care they need, without having to travel to a doctor’s office or hospital.

A registered nurse will also be in constant communication with the patient’s primary care provider and will help with managing medications. They will verify that your loved one is taking the right dosage and at the correct time of day, along with helping them set up a system that helps to keep track of their medication schedule. This can include anything from simple pill boxes to sophisticated electronic devices.

Understanding the complexities of home healthcare costs isn’t an easy feat, but with diligence and a little guidance from professionals, you can find a cost-effective solution that feels just right.

Nutritional Support

Home health services are typically covered by Medicare and can also be paid for by Medicaid, the Veterans Administration or private insurance. Each agency is required to send you a notice, called the Home Health Advance Beneficiary Notice (HHABN), before home health services begin that indicates which services Medicare will pay for, what they will cost and which services are not covered.

To qualify for home health care, your doctor must sign a home health certification stating that you are homebound and need intermittent skilled nursing care, physical therapy or speech-language pathology services. Your doctor must also approve a plan of care and meet with you face to face once every 60 days.

A licensed home health care agency can provide a variety of services, including help with bathing and dressing, meal preparation and running errands. However, home health aides are not allowed to touch medication and can only provide support in accordance with the physician-prescribed plan of care.

Transportation

Home health care is a wide range of medical services that can be provided in your home. This type of care is often less expensive and just as effective as care you receive in a hospital or nursing home. It is typically covered by Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance plans.

Home healthcare nurses are working to reduce avoidable hospital readmissions. They also help patients manage their medications and develop a care plan for achieving their goals in the home.

Seniors who cannot drive or have difficulty getting around can use rideshare services like Uber, Lyft and Veyo to get to appointments. These services can be scheduled through a smartphone app. There are also concierge services like GoGoGrandparent that screen drivers and coordinate with a family caregiver to ensure your loved one has the right car with the necessary equipment.

The key is to have a physician order for home healthcare services. This will let your Medicare-approved home health agency know what services are eligible for coverage and what you will be responsible for.