In our marketing efforts and personal lives, Millcreek's staff is asked over and over again why we are so deeply connected to the work we do. The short answer is because we know that the work we do has a tremendous effect on the health and well being of seniors. Somehow that doesn't answer the question. So here are ten good reasons to ask your loved one's doctor for a home health evalutation.
10. Constant trips to the Doctor’s office wear seniors out. Home Health means that nurses can assess and report on changes in condition from the comfort of their home, minimizing unnecessary trips to the doctor. After one initial visit to the doctor, home health nurses can perform physician ordered lab draws, treat wounds, administer certain medications and offer many more services that decrease visits to the doctor’s office.
9. They do a great job showing their doctor how they are at their best. For many seniors a doctor’s visit is a lot like a job interview: they put their best foot forward and don’t show any of their weaknesses. Many times, a home health nurse is able to observe things in the home that are relevant to a senior’s medical condition. An unsafe bathroom is something a doctor would never know about, but a home health nurse can not only identify hazards, but offer solutions to minimize danger.
8. Home Health helps seniors maintain their independence. Seniors tell us over and over again that they don’t want to be treated like children. But their children and caregivers know that independence and safety need to go hand in hand. Along with the medical care they provide, home health clinicians routinely do home safety evaluations to ensure that any preventable harm does not come to pass. Occupational Therapists help install adaptive equipment, teach techniques to compensate for weaknesses and offer solutions for safety in the home. A senior who is able to maintain their health is a senior who can remain independent.
7. Home Health is covered 100% by Medicare. There is no out of pocket cost to seniors. All services provided in home health and covered with no co-pay, which means that seniors with limited income can use more of their money for activities that improve their quality of life, not just their health.
6. Experts provide professional coordination of care. Home Health Case Managers coordinate care from numerous resources including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and home health aides and report all changes and observations to their family members & doctor.
5. It prevents seniors from falling. Nearly all falls are preventable, yet the damage that falls cause is one of the leading causes of death among seniors. Things that contribute to falls, like gait abnormalities, poor balance and muscle weakness, can all be addressed though in home physical therapy. More often than not, seniors gain strength & improved balance that prevents them from falling.
4. It is an unlimited Medicare benefit. Home Health can provide care and support as long as they are Medicare eligible. That means that a senior may use home health services for anywhere from a few weeks to an infinite amount of time. A senior is discharged when they meet their full rehabilitative potential and health related goals, but they will never “run out” of this Medicare benefit.
3. Home health provides social support services in addition to medical care. Professionals support family members too, by answering questions, teaching about the progression of diseases and connecting them to valuable community resources.
2. Home health prevents small problems from becoming big disasters. Preventative maintenance and dealing with problems early on is extremely important with seniors. A problem like a urinary tract infection is a mere discomfort for a younger adult, but can wreak havoc on the system of a senior. Home Health Nurses and therapists recognize symptoms of small issues early on, provide proactive treatment and prevent small problems progressing to big problems.
1. It is the best way to keep your loved one safe and healthy at home. The thing we want most for all of our patients, is the same thing you want for your loved ones: for them to be as comfortable as possible and to avoid any preventable trauma or illness. Home Health is proven to reduce unnecessary hospitalizations. In fact, it is Medicare’s largest cost saving measure because it addresses seniors health concerns early on and keeps them safe and healthy at home.
