Advantages
Home care provides a number of advantages for the patient:
* Keeps families together
* Helps keep the elderly independent
* Prevents or postpones institutionalization
* Promotes healing
* Allows a maximum amount of freedom for the individual
* Improves the quality of life
* Is less expensive than other forms of care
Important Considerations
If you are just beginning to consider home health as an option for you or a loved one, we encourage you to familiarize yourself with the resources in your community. Ask friends, family, Area Agency on Aging staff, your physician, or social worker for references.
Coffey Health System wants you to know that deciding on home care may seem like an overwhelming task, but understanding home health care will help in making decisions about the care best suited for your and/or your family.
When considering home health, we recommend that you make sure the agency:
* is Medicare certified;
* offers the specific health care services needed;
* offers the personal care services needed;
* can arrange for services like Meals on Wheels, homemaker, or attendant care from Area Agency on Aging;
* has staff available to provide the type and hours of care the doctor has ordered and can start immediately;
* has staff available 24 hours a day for emergencies, and
* can explain what insurance will cover and what must be paid out-of-pocket.
Most importantly, discuss your needs with your doctor or social worker before making a decision about your healthcare needs.