Home Health Care Services for Disabled People
Home health care services allow individuals and their loved ones to receive essential medical care in the comfort and safety of their own homes. These services can be beneficial for those with disabilities, addressing a wide range of health needs while promoting personal independence and comfort.
What is the difference between home health care and a home health aide?
Home health aides (HHAs) and home health care providers can both enhance the quality of life for individuals with disabilities, but they each have distinct purposes. Home health aides primarily provide non-medical support, such as personal care, help with daily activities, meal preparation, and companionship. While HHAs may occasionally check vitals, their lack of a medical license prevents them from taking on tasks that only trained medical professionals can do. On the other hand, home health care services involve licensed professionals who deliver skilled medical care in a patient’s home, which may include nursing, physical therapy, and medication administration. Services can be combined and modified to support individual needs, but home health care focuses on medical tasks needing professional expertise, while home health aides primarily assist with activities of daily living (ADLs).
What is the most common service used in a home health service?
Services used in home health care can vary depending on individual diagnosis; however, common services used can include:
- Nursing
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Speech therapy
- Medication administration
- Post-surgical care
- Chronic illness or disease management
What is an example of home health care?
People with a wide range of disabilities can benefit from home health care services. For example, individuals may need short-term care after an injury or surgery. A person who has undergone knee replacement surgery might receive in-home care for wound management, infection monitoring, or physical therapy. Others may require in-home care to manage chronic illness with intravenous (IV) medications or infusions. Additionally, those with neurological conditions may work with an in-home physical or occupational therapist over an extended period. Multiple different disabilities may require a person to receive in-home healthcare; however, people who receive these services often have permanent or progressive health conditions.
Does Medicare pay for home health care?
Both Medicare Part A and Part B offer coverage for in-home services, but they do so under different circumstances. Part A typically covers services related to a hospital or skilled nursing facility stay, such as care after a hospital discharge. Part B covers necessary in-home services like skilled nursing care and occupational, physical, or speech therapy, even if there wasn't a prior hospital stay.
To qualify for in-home health care covered by Medicare, a person must meet specific requirements. For example, the individual receiving care must be considered homebound, meaning they have significant difficulty leaving home without the use of medical equipment or mobility aids like a cane, crutches, a walker, or a wheelchair. Additionally, the person must lack access to transportation like rideshare or public transport, which would otherwise allow them to attend medical appointments in person. While those who are considered homebound may occasionally leave their homes for activities like going to church or the local grocery store, for the most part, it is understood that these individuals are safer at home. A doctor must also certify a patient’s need for care, which must be provided by a Medicare-certified home health agency.
Home health aide services, provided by non-medically licensed caregivers, are only covered by Medicare if the patient is also receiving in-home skilled health care at the same time. Medicare does not cover 24-hour care, so to qualify for home health care, you must only require part-time skilled care. Medicaid, on the other hand, may cover full-time skilled care in a nursing home for eligible individuals. Medicaid is designed to assist those with limited income and resources and can cover long-term care needs, including full-time skilled care, depending on state-specific rules and eligibility requirements.
Resources for caregivers
Finding the right care for a person with a disability can feel overwhelming, with options ranging from in-home health care and home health aides to personal care assistants (PCAs) and other caregivers. Whether you or a loved one are looking to age in place with in-home care or considering a long-term care facility like assisted living or a nursing home, accessible transportation is a crucial element. Visit your local BraunAbility dealer to explore accessible transportation solutions and check out our caregiver resources for more information on caregiving topics like modifying a home for accessibility, and purchasing a wheelchair accessible vehicle.
