|
To contact us: |
|
1656 Coles Blvd. Portsmouth, Ohio 45662 |
|
If and when the time comes that you find yourself or a loved one in need of assistance due to a decline in health or an injury or sudden illness, the whole process can seem overwhelming.
? ? ? ? ?
These are only some of the questions that may come to you all while at the same time trying to deal with situation itself that has caused the need for these questions. Most people do not even know that home care exists, let alone what it can provide you.
Below are some answers to the most frequently asked questions concerning home care.
|
|
Please call us at 740-353-9200 and we will gladly answer any additional questions you may have. We understand that when people inquire about home care, they are more often than not dealing with a difficult situation, crisis, or struggling with the idea of nursing home placement. We will do whatever we can to answer your questions, regardless of if the best option for you is home care, assisted living, or nursing home placement. |
|
“Home Health Care” is a simple phrase that includes a wide range of health and social services. Generally home care is appropriate whenever a person prefers to stay at home but needs ongoing care that cannot easily or effectively be provided solely by family and friends. The need and popularity of home health care has grown for many reasons. Medical science and technology have improved. Many treatments that could once be done only in a hospital can now be done at home. Also, home health care is usually less expensive and can often be just as effective as care in a hospital or skilled nursing facility. And just as important, most patients and their families prefer to stay at home rather than be in a hospital or a nursing home. The home care team works with your physician to provide the treatments that your doctor has ordered, as well as keeps him up-to-date with your progress. While you get home health care, home health staff teach you (and your caregiver) to continue any care you may need, including medication, wound care, therapy, and stress management. Since most home health care is intermittent and part-time, you (and your informal caregivers) should learn how to identify and care for possible problems, like confusion or shortness of breath. The goal of short-term home health care is to provide treatment for an illness or injury. It helps you get better, regain your independence, and become as self-sufficient as possible. The goal of long-term home health care (for chronically ill or disabled people) is to maintain your highest level of ability or health, and help you learn to live with your illness or disability. |
|
Finding the best home care provider for your needs requires research, but is time well spent. Important factors include the quality of care, availability of needed services, personnel training and expertise, and coverage provided by the payer. To find a home care agency you can:
¨ Look in the phone book in the yellow pages under “Home Care” or “Home Health”.
¨ Go to www.medicare.gov and look at the “Home Health Compare”.
¨ Ask your doctor, hospital discharge planner or social worker.
¨ Talk to family and friends about their home care experiences.
¨ Use a senior community referral service or other community agency that helps you with your health care.
¨ Call and speak with a representative of the agency, ask questions and get a feel for their services.
Refer to our “Choosing a Home Care Provider” section for some questions to ask the provider. |
|
The services that are available to you depends largely upon the payer source. With that in mind, some examples of home care services that are offered are:
¨ Personal care, ¨ Homemaking, ¨ Home delivered meals, ¨ Adult day care, ¨ Medical equipment and supplies, ¨ Supplemental adaptive and assistive devices, ¨ Chore services, such as minor home repair or modification, pest control, and heavy household cleaning, ¨ Emergency response systems, ¨ Nutritional counseling, ¨ Independent living assistance, ¨ Medical transportation, ¨ Alzheimer’s respite ¨ Caregiver respite ¨ Nursing, ¨ Private duty nursing (i.e. extended length nursing visits), ¨ Bath aide, ¨ Physical therapy, ¨ Occupational therapy, ¨ Speech therapy, and ¨ Social worker counseling. |
|
Who pays for home care services depends on your particular situation, health insurance coverage, and the services you require. In general, the following programs will pay for home care if you meet their specific eligibility requirements:
¨ Medicare ¨ Medicaid - Traditional Medicaid (Ohio Home Care) - Waiver ¨ Ohio Department of Aging - PASSPORT Waiver - CHOICES Waiver (same as PASSPORT) - Assisted Living Waiver (must be enrolled on a PASSPORT, CHOICES or Medicaid Waiver program and live in an approved facility). ¨ Ohio Department of MR/DD - Level 1 Waiver - Individual Options Waiver - Residential Facility Waiver (must be enrolled on a Level 1 or Individual Options Waiver program and live in an approved facility). ¨ Private Insurance - check with your insurance carrier, most follow Medicare guidelines.
For more information on the payer sources requirements to qualify for home care, click on the program. If you do not qualify for any of the above programs, Private Pay is also available.
|
|
Like the services that are available to you depends on the payer source, so does who can provide these services.
¨ Medicare - Only Medicare Certified Home Health Agencies ¨ Medicaid (Ohio Home Care) - Medicare Certified Home Health Agencies - Other Accredited Home Health Agencies (JCAHO or CHAP) - can only provide private duty nursing. - Independent Providers - can only provide private duty nursing services. ¨ Medicaid Waiver - Medicare Certified Home Health Agencies - Other Accredited Home Health Agencies (JCAHO or CHAP) - Independent Providers ¨ PASSPORT Waiver - Ohio Department of Aging Certified Long-Term Care Agency - Ohio Department of Aging Certified Long-Term Care Non-Agency ¨ CHOICES Waiver - Ohio Department of Aging Certified Long-Term Care Agency - Ohio Department of Aging Certified Long-Term Care Non-Agency ¨ MR/DD - Level 1 Waiver - Ohio Department of MR/DD Certified Medicaid Agency - Ohio Department of MR/DD Certified Medicaid Person ¨ MR/DD - Individual Options Waiver - Ohio Department of MR/DD Certified Medicaid Agency - Ohio Department of MR/DD Certified Medicaid Person ¨ MR/DD - Residential Facility Waiver - County Board of MR/DD ¨ Assisted Living Waiver - Ohio Department of Aging Certified Medicaid Provider ¨ Private Insurance - In-Network Provider - Out of Network Provider (may mean you pay a higher co-pay) ¨ Private Pay - Any person or agency of your choosing. Note that while going through an agency may cost more than an individual, most agencies conduct reference, criminal background and other checks on their employees and are also bonded for your protection. |