Frequently Asked Questions
What are Home Health and Hospice?
Both Home Health and Hospice service can be covered by medicare if criteria is reached and both programs are under the direct care of a physician. Generally speaking, Home Health services are the better choice to manage a patient where improvement or healing is expected. Home Health patients are expected to recover or get better. An example is a person receiving active treatment such as chemo, who need nursing or therapy service.
Many times frightening and often misunderstood, Hospice services are appropriate to manage any disease when the patient has decided to forgo active treatment. Simply put, the goal of Hospice is comfort and the management of symptoms. There is no six month limit for Hospice.
When is it time to consider care options?
When there are concerns of safety such as a fall, mismanagement of medications, increasing exacerbation of chronic illness, or the patient experiences severe weight loss, it may be time to discuss long term care options with the patient, the doctor and family members. Elderly people fear loosing their independence and wish, above all, to stay independent and in their own home, even if they are no longer able to care for themselves.
What is Home Health and do I qualify?
Home Health agencies provide nurses, bathing assistants and social workers, who make house calls, to provide care and teaching for patients, families and paid care givers for a limited time. Home Health services usually last two months and can be paid for by Medicare, state agencies or private insurance.
What equipment is available for home care?
You can purchase smaller pieces of equipment from medical supply stores, department stores and even yard or garage sales. Larger equipment, such as beds, wheelchairs and Hoyer lifts can be purchased from medical supply companies who can deliver these items.
What are DPOA, POA and DNR?
Each state has its own regulations but, in general, POA's determine what happens to your assets, DPOA's determine the person or persons who will make medical decisions if the patient becomes unable. "No Code" or "DNR" specify what, if any, life-saving measure or invasive procedures the patient has previously selected to help families and doctors make decisions based upon your known issues.
What can I expect when Mom moves in with me?
These arrangements work best when every family member agrees to take part in the care. To often the care falls to one daughter or son while other family members call into question the quality or care choices. Remember, family unity and support is the wish of every parent. They would want strong familial relations to endure after their death.
Who pays for extended care?
There is a widespread myth that medicare will pay for long term care. Medicare may pay for a limited stay in a nursing home following a stay in the hospital, but this is primarily considered an extension of the hospital stay for rehab or continued skilled care. Custodial care is paid for by the private funds, long term care insurance or in some cases, state funds for those who qualify.