Home care is a broad range of professional health care and support services provided in peoples' homes. Treatment varies from patient to patient but usually fits into two types: skilled professional care and personal assistance services. People who are recovering from an illness or accident, disabled, chronically or terminally ill, most often use skilled professional care. As hospital stays decrease, increasing numbers of patients need highly skilled services when they return home. Typically home care is appropriate when a person can safely stay at home but still needs ongoing care that cannot easily or effectively be provided solely by family and friends. Personal assistance services is most appropriate for those who may need help with activities of daily living (ADLs) or instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). This includes: bathing, dressing, ambulating or light housekeeping and cooking.
Home care services are usually provided by home care agencies. Agencies typically include: Medicare certified home health agencies; hospices; area agencies on aging, homemaker agencies; staff and private duty nursing agencies. Other agencies may be utilized to deliver specialized services and products such as medical equipment and supplies, pharmaceuticals, and drug infusion therapy.
LifeSpan’s services range from home health aide services and medical social services to community services such as attendants.
People of all ages with acute and chronic health care needs can receive home health care services. Home health care is for persons who require health care from a professional or who need personal assistance in the home through attendants. The payor for these services typically determines the level of care and those who qualify. In most cases medical orders from a physician are required for home health care. It is best to call LifeSpan and ask for assistance. Our telephone number is (210) 798-6701.
Home health care services provided by LifeSpan are available 24/7.
If the care is medically necessary and the patient meets certain coverage requirements, Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance plans will usually pay for home health care services. Service may vary for Medicaid depending on the county in which you reside and private insurance carriers have different policies (please refer to your Certificate of Coverage). For services that are not covered, patients may choose to pay out of their own pocket.
There are many important factors to consider in choosing the best agency to meet your needs. Assess what types of services you will need and find an agency that offers those services. Survey the agencies you are considering about licenses and certifications. You'll also want to evaluate the quality of care, and the skills and training of personnel at the agencies under consideration.
Not all services available in all locations. Call Central Intake to confirm service availability.
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