What's home health care?

This type of home health care—often called skilled care—is provided by a medical professional, such as a physician, registered nurse or physical therapist. Services they could provide include wound care and physical, occupational and speech therapy, says Yount. Other potential services include patient and caregiver education, injections and nutrition therapy. The nurse then prepares a detailed personalized care plan, says Shelly Sun, the company’s CEO and founder. She stresses that anyone signing up for high-quality home health care should expect a similar process.

Depending on the person's needs, hot meals can be delivered several times a week. Dietitians can come to a patient's home to provide dietary assessments and guidance to support the treatment plan. The home health agency staff will also talk to your doctor about your care and keep your doctor updated about your progress. Through a Medicare health plan, check with your plan to find out how it gives your Medicare-covered home health benefits. Forbes Health adheres to strict editorial integrity standards.

To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved or otherwise endorsed by our advertisers. For instance, the hourly rate for a home health aide in Louisiana in 2020 was $17 compared to $33 in Minnesota. It can take a little while for some seniors to adjust to having a stranger in their home, says Yount, which is why finding the right fit is so important.

Care.com helps you find local caregivers ready to help with meal prep, bathing, companionship, transportation and more. We provide high quality, individualized care for patients of all ages where you feel most comfortable – your home or community. Our services and equipment are designed to help you regain and retain a level of independence. Once home health care starts, the patient and provider work together to determine the appropriate days and hours for visits. “It varies greatly—from one hour at a time to 24-hour care,” says Pecora.

An occupational therapist can help a patient with physical, developmental, social, or emotional disabilities relearn how to perform such daily functions as eating, bathing, dressing, and home health care more. A speech therapist can help a patient with impaired speech regain the ability to communicate clearly. Information provided on Forbes Health is for educational purposes only.