What to Look For When Choosing a Home Health Care Services

Posted by Frank Steve on July 12th, 2019

Home health care is a home-based care service provided to someone who is ill or injured. It’s considered to be cheaper, more convenient, and equally effective as the care you receive in a hospital or a skilled nursing facility. When looking for a home health care service, many people get confused between two terms; ‘Home Care Services’ and Home Health Care Services’. Often, the term ‘Home Care Service’ is used for non-medical care or custodial care, in which the care is provided by a persons who are not nurses, doctors, or other licensed medical personnel. On the other hand, ‘Home Health Care Service’ is where a licensed personnel is provided for care. Once you’re able to distinguish between the two, it’s time to look for a reputable home health care service provider. There are several things you need to consider when choosing a home health care service agency.

What Should You Expect From Your Home Health Care?

• Once your doctor approves for a particular home health care agency, they will schedule an appointment with you and visit your home. Upon their arrival, they will ask you about your needs and ask you several questions about your health.

• The home health care agency will also coordinate with your doctor and ask about the type of care you require. The agency will keep your doctor updated about your progress.

• They home health care staff will make sure they visit you as often as the doctors has ordered.

Examples of What the Home Health Staff Should Do:

• Keep track of your eating and drinking habits.
• Check your blood pressure, temperature, heart rate, and breathing.
• Check that you’re taking your prescribed medicine and other treatments accordingly.
• Ask if you’re having pain.
• Make sure that you’re safe at home.
• Teach you about your care so you can learn to take care of yourself.
• Proper coordination. Consistent communication with you, your doctor, anyone else who gives you care.

Who Provides Home Health Care?

Home health care services are provided by a variety of trained individuals. The agencies that provide these services can be for-profit, non-profit, or hospital based.

Home care agencies are mainly responsible of tasks that include household and personal care duties. The individuals handling these tasks may or may not be licensed.

Home health care agencies provide care services that involves team of professional doctors, nurses, therapists, homemakers and others. These agencies mostly fall under Medicare programs regulated by the state and federal laws.

Some mandatory services provided by home health care service agencies include:

Professional Nursing Care Services

• In-Home Assessment
• Medication and Pain Management
• Diabetic Care
• Oxygen Therapy
• Ostomy Care
• Orthopedic Care
• Rehabilitative Care
• Emergency Management

Personal Care Services

• Bathing and Dressing
• Feeding
• Mobility, Transferring and Positioning
• Toileting and Incontinence Care

In-Home Companionship and Care Services

• Respite or Relief for Family
• Grocery Shopping and Meal Preparation
• Medication Reminders
• Light Housekeeping, Laundry and Linen Washing
• Errand Services and Incidental Transportation
• Recreational Activities and Crafts
• Grooming and Dressing Guidance
• Mail Assistance and Organization
• Conversation and Companionship
• 24-Hour or Live-In Care

Oxford HealthCare is a home health care agency located in Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. It’s a good choice when considering a home health care agency to care for your elderly loved ones and those recovering from injury or surgery, because they’ve been helping families discover home health care solutions since 1991. In all these years they’ve gained a lot of experience by caring those in need. They’re known for offering comprehensive supportive care and assisted living solutions to help your loved one maintain independence.