Senior Home Health Care: How It Works

One of those things that come along with aging is a decline in your physical and/or mental health. This is nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about because it happens to everyone. If you find your health declining, ask for help. Senior home health care services are a great option to look into. 

What Is Senior Home Health Care?

Senior home health care allows nurses and caregivers to come into your home to provide you with the assistance you need to continue living independently. There are many service options offered depending on your health needs. 

Senior Home Health Care Options

There are many service options available to you. If you are struggling to properly take care of yourself, consult your doctor or reach out to a home health care agency in your area.

The service options available can include:

  • Cleaning
  • Meal prep
  • Bathing/toileting assistance
  • Transportation
  • Grocery shopping
  • Wound care
  • Physical therapy
  • Occupational therapy
  • Medication management

Physical therapy and occupational therapy are also offered to allow you to skip a trip to the clinic. If you consult your doctor about services, they will help you get started. 

How Does It Work?

Once it is determined by your doctor that you do need the additional medical help, they will send a referral and an order to home health care agencies in the area. The home health care agency will work with your insurance to secure prior authorization for services to ensure your insurance will pay. If you do receive a service that requires a therapist or a nurse, your insurance will usually pay for some or all of it as long as the doctor's orders are followed. 

The home health care agency will then reach out to you directly or to a case manager if you have one. They will set up the first visit where you will meet your new caregivers and set up a schedule that works for you. If you ever do not like or feel comfortable with a certain caregiver, you can always contact the agency providing your services to find you a new one or even switch home health care agencies. 

Senior Home Health Care and Insurance

Most insurance plans now will cover some or all of the cost of home health care services as long as they are medically necessary. However, the services that only require a caregiver (e.g. cleaning, bathing assistance, meal prep, etc.) are not up to your doctor and will typically be up to the insurance company. They will have someone evaluate you and determine the services you will need. If you need more than your doctor and/or insurance company is willing to order and pay for, you always have the option to pay out of pocket. 

For more information, contact a senior home care service such as Comfort Keepers Home Health Care.


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