Questions and Answers
What is Home Health Care?
Home Health Care is a service used by consumers to enhance, restore, or maintain their positive health within their home. Home Health Care’s success is based on the emphasis of patient / family education and participation.
Why should I use Home Health Care?
Homecare:
- Is convenient and effective
- Is less expensive than hospital or nursing home care
- Improves quality of life
- Reduces stress on the primary caregiver(s)
- Promotes healing
- Keeps families together
- Promotes independence at home
What is the first step in finding out if someone qualifies for Home Health Care?
A phone call or visit to our office is the best way to inquire about services. A nurse will answer your questions and may set up a time to come to the client’s home for a free evaluation to further determine if homecare can be of assistance.
Who can use Home Health Services?
The following are a few examples of cases we frequently encounter that qualify for homecare. Please note that not all examples are listed and the ones that are do not always guarantee qualification for homecare. Please contact us to find out if you qualify.
You may qualify if you:
- Are recovering from surgery
- Need IV medications
- Are being tube fed
- Have a wound
- Are weak and needing assistance with personal cares
- Are diabetic
- Have cardiac or respiratory disorders
- Have permanent nerve or muscle damage
- Have an indwelling foley urinary catheter
Does my insurance cover the costs of home care?
There are guidelines under Medicare, Medicaid and private insurances that allow for the homecare costs to be paid for. We will be happy to explain these guidelines and answer all of your financial questions before you decide on services. We will also assist in finding possible funding sources available with the help of our social worker, various resources and contacts.
Will the same nurse or aide come to my home every time?
One nurse will be assigned to coordinate your care so that all of your services can run as smoothly as possible. This primary nurse will visit your home as often as possible, however, depending on the times and frequency of a client’s visits, they may meet other nurses. The agency strives to limit a client to as few nurses and aides as possible in order to provide continuity of care. However, all of our staff is highly trained and capable of providing the care that you need.
How will I know when to expect a visit from Circle of Friends?
Circle of Friends will gather information regarding your preferences for frequency of visits and time of day upon admission. During your services with us, we will do our best to make visits according to these preferences. You will be notified in advance by phone of the approximate time of each visit. Due to scheduling changes and client and staff issues that arise, visit times may change slightly. Circle of Friends will keep you notified of any such changes.
What if I have a question or urgent need after hours or on the weekend?
Circle of Friends has an on-call nurse available at all times for urgent needs or questions. If a situation becomes an emergency, please call 911 rather than the on-call nurse. The on-call nurse will contact you by phone and answer your questions or make an extra visit to your home to address the issue.
Once I am admitted to home health, how long will my services last?
Length of service depends on many variables including the client’s preference and health condition, insurance coverage and the progress made by the client during service. Some clients are admitted to home health after a surgery or other setback and require only short-term rehabilitation at home. Others are admitted due to chronic health issues that require services over a long period of time. Regardless of the client’s condition, it is always our goal to help a client remain as independent as possible.
Will my physician be informed of the cares that I am receiving?
All home health services are under the direct orders of an attending physician that is chosen by the client. Your Circle of Friends nurse will stay in close communication with the physician and report any concerns that arise.