Question: What are the options to treat illnesses at home?
From: Lisa H. of Dwale, KY
Answer: This is an important question for a couple of reasons. Shorter hospital stays mean that patients are sent home with continued medical care. Procedures that were once done in an inpatient setting may be done as outpatients. Home health agencies such as Home Care, Visiting Nurse Associations, provide services to patients following illness or injury in their homes as ordered by a physician. The patient must require skilled nursing care of an RN or LPN or the services of a therapist. To qualify for home health service, the patient must be considered homebound or normally unable to leave home unassisted (patient may leave for medical appointments or infrequently for nonmedical reasons-e.g., church). Services available include skilled nursing, PT, OT, ST, medical social work, home health aide, medical supplies, medical equipment. They provide service on an intermittent and part-time basis but the number of hours per day and days per week are limited. Home care continues as long as the patient needs skilled care and the physician feels home care is needed.
In home hospice care is also available for those patients at end of life. The In-home hospice team provides support and care to patients and families of patients with a life expectancy of 6 months or less. The goal is to provide pain and symptom relief, rather than curative care, and a compassionate approach to the end of life. Focus is on the physical, social, emotional, and spiritual. Hospice is not just for cancer patients and there are no age restrictions.
From: Lisa H. of Dwale, KY
Answer: This is an important question for a couple of reasons. Shorter hospital stays mean that patients are sent home with continued medical care. Procedures that were once done in an inpatient setting may be done as outpatients. Home health agencies such as Home Care, Visiting Nurse Associations, provide services to patients following illness or injury in their homes as ordered by a physician. The patient must require skilled nursing care of an RN or LPN or the services of a therapist. To qualify for home health service, the patient must be considered homebound or normally unable to leave home unassisted (patient may leave for medical appointments or infrequently for nonmedical reasons-e.g., church). Services available include skilled nursing, PT, OT, ST, medical social work, home health aide, medical supplies, medical equipment. They provide service on an intermittent and part-time basis but the number of hours per day and days per week are limited. Home care continues as long as the patient needs skilled care and the physician feels home care is needed.
In home hospice care is also available for those patients at end of life. The In-home hospice team provides support and care to patients and families of patients with a life expectancy of 6 months or less. The goal is to provide pain and symptom relief, rather than curative care, and a compassionate approach to the end of life. Focus is on the physical, social, emotional, and spiritual. Hospice is not just for cancer patients and there are no age restrictions.
Ruthann Russo, PhD, JD, MPH, RHIT, is a healthcare expert with more than 20 years of experience working in and advising healthcare organizations.
