Home Health Care Services
Home Health Agencies provide services to individuals who need assistance with homemaking, daily activities, or skilled care. These services are provided in the privacy of your home or place of residence, enabling you to live as independently as possible.
Home Health Services include:
Skilled Nursing Visits or Private Duty Nursing
Home Health Aide or Personal Care Attendant
Physical, Occupational, or Speech Therapy
Medical Social Work
Homemaking
Some Agencies may deliver all the services listed above, while other Agencies may limit their services to a couple of specialties. Home Health Care Agencies will also assume liability for all the care they provide, because they hire and supervise their staff. These services can be offered up to 24 hours a day, 7 days per week.
Who pays for these services?
The patient or family may pay privately, public third party payers such as Medicare or Medicaid, or private third party payers such as health insurance companies or managed care groups. Home Health Agencies may be able to assist you with determining your current payer source or they can make a referral to determine if assistance is needed.
When could Home Care Services benefit you?
Some specific reasons include: poor or declining health, forgetfulness or poor memory affecting your daily needs, falling or lack of safety, difficulty monitoring your medications, or a terminal or chronic illness. Even if you do not need daily assistance, you may be a candidate to receive these services. You should talk to your health care provider. Home Care Agencies will also provide a nursing assessment to directly assess your needs in the privacy of your home. If you have any questions or concerns, then please call us @ 866-998-3750 to see if home care is the right choice for you or your loved one.
Article Provided by Harmony Home Health Care, Fergus Falls, MN. For more information, email them at harmonyhealth@prtel.com, or call them at 866-998-3750.
10 WAYS TO HELP A FAMILY LIVING WITH ALZHEIMER’S
Alzheimer’s is a disease of the brain that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. One in three adults knows someone living with Alzheimer’s disease. You may want to offer assistance to a family living with Alzheimer’s but worry you’ll say or do the wrong thing. It may help to be aware of a few things:
The person with Alzheimer’s likely:
• is adjusting to new schedules and changing roles
• Welcomes your direct contact
• Worries about overwhelming family caregivers
• Strives to keep an active, independent lifestyle
And the family members often:
• Feel alone and disconnected from friends
• Need assistance or a break but hesitates to ask
• Struggles to run errands or complete daily tasks
• Feel high stress and welcome a good listener
1. Stay in touch-show you care
A card, a call, or a visit, all mean a lot
2. Treat the person with respect and dignity
Focus on all that the person can do
3. Do the little things
Drop off dinner or run an errand
4. Be specific when offering help
Tackle a task on the family’s “to do” list
5. Educate yourself about Alzheimer’s
Learn about its effects and how to respond
6. Get the whole family out of the house
Plan an activity like a picnic or dinner at your place: include the person whenever possible
7. Be a good listener
Support and accept- try not to judge
8. Encourage the family to stay healthy
Offer ideas for support and respite care
9. Allow the family some personal time
Fill in as a caregiver, when needed
10. Keep all family members in mind
From tots to elders, each reacts uniquely
Brought to you by Alternative Senior Care in Alexandria, MN. Information wasreprinted from Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org. Visit their website to find out more.
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