Simply put, home health care is a wide range of health care services given in one's home for managing health conditions and recovering from injury or illness. When facing the overwhelming diagnosis of a health condition, home health can provide tools for managing that illness with proper care, education, and support. In the case of an injury, home health services offer a patient the ability to heal within the comforts of home while receiving specialized care.
Home health care benefits patients with:
- Injury and/or Surgery Recovery
- Chronic Disease
- Multiple Medications
- Risk for Falls/Balance Issues
- Wounds
Home health care is a partnership between your overseeing physician and a specialized home health care team. A doctor's referral to our home health team is required to start in-home care. Your doctor may recommend an agency, however, it is ultimately your choice for who you work with. The home health team is to be your liaison and facilitate communication between your physician and you.
A care team typically consists of the following:
- Registered Nurse
- Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapists
- Social Worker
- Home Health Aide
The home health care team is responsible for providing skilled services to restore optimal health and independence. By educating and equipping patients and their families to manage their conditions, the care team ensures the best quality of life possible. Nursing interventions include medication management, wound care, and patient education. Therapy interventions include exercises and home modifications to improve movement around the home, lessen falls, and gain strength and balance. The role of a social worker within the care team is to provide support, counseling, and referral of community resources available. A home health aide assists with daily activities such as bathing, meals, and medication reminders. Together the home health team is committed to addressing short-term needs and assuring long-term progress to provide the best care for you to meet your goals.
If you or a loved one requires home health care, it's essential to ask the right questions when choosing an in-home care provider. Download our 5 Tips to Choosing In-Home guide below to learn more. For more information about home health care in the Upstate and Midlands of South Carolina, contact us or call (800) 439-4590.
