Patients with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis often need home health care to help them manage their symptoms. Home health care for chronic illnesses includes a variety of services and therapies to help patients with the physical, emotional, and mental effects of their illnesses. Trained healthcare professionals are able to provide these services in the comfort of a patient’s home. Let’s explore the benefits these services offer and what Aleca Health provides to patients needing assistance.
What Does Home Health Care Include?
Home health care includes a variety of services, such as:
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Speech therapy
- Skilled nursing care
- Medical social workers
- Home health aides
Patients with chronic illnesses may need one or several of these services. With home health care, providers can work with a patient’s physician to determine a care plan and what services are required.
Benefits of Home Health Care for Patients with Chronic Conditions
Personalized Care
One significant benefit of home health care is its personalized approach. Since care team members come into the home and work one-on-one with patients, they become familiar with them and their needs. They can form valuable relationships to help patients become comfortable and live their daily lives easily.
Regularly Monitor Illnesses
Additionally, home healthcare professionals can regularly monitor illnesses and determine if conditions change. This is vital in the case of chronic conditions. When patients are periodically monitored, any new changes in the condition can be addressed. If needed, medications can be altered, and different types of care can be added to the care plan.
Familiarity
Many patients with chronic illnesses can often become stressed and anxious when put in a new environment. This can make their conditions worse. Home health care can ease this stress, and patients can receive assistance in the comfort of their homes.
Independence
Home health care can allow patients with chronic conditions to maintain as much of their impendence as possible. By receiving care at home, patients do not have to spend time in a hospital or rehabilitation center. They can remain home with any adjustments that need to be made for their health and safety.
Medication Management
Patients with chronic conditions may be taking multiple medications, which can become confusing at times. Home health care services can help patients better manage their medications so that the proper dosages are taken at the correct times.
Emotional Support
Living with a chronic health condition can take its toll on a person’s emotional and mental state. Having access to home health care can provide patients with social workers and support workers that can help them manage their emotions. This can help to prevent mental illnesses and other conditions that can make living with a chronic health issue worse.
Help with Daily Activities
People with chronic conditions may need help with daily activities such as dressing and bathing. Having access to home health care can provide them with this help. Home health care can also help with light housekeeping duties and safety assistance as needed.
Avoid Hospitalization
Home health care can help patients to avoid readmittance to the hospital. Nurses and other team members will likely notice and treat changes effectively before they worsen. This allows patients to manage their illness and prevents them from undergoing lengthy and costly hospital stays.
Paying for Home Health Care
Medicare will typically cover the cost of home health care if specific criteria are met [1]. It’s best to check with your Medicare plan to see if you or a loved one meet the requirements. Depending on your plan, private insurance can also cover home health care costs. Review your insurance plan to see what types of home health care services are covered and for how long. This important information can help you and your care providers devise a plan that will best help you manage your chronic condition at home.
Seek Home Health Care with Aleca Health
Aleca Health provides exceptional patient-centered home health care for people dealing with chronic illnesses. Our care team will develop a customized care plan based on your condition and needs. Your care plan will consist of skilled nursing care and therapy services, an entire medical team, a clinical social worker, and a team of therapists. All team members work together to provide optimal care for patients with chronic conditions. To find out more about Aleca home health services, contact us today.
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Dan is Vice President, Marketing of the Alumus family of companies. A Seattle native, he earned his BA in Humanities and Political Science at Evergreen State College. He started his career as a newspaper columnist, eventually transitioning into marketing and tech writing for Microsoft and several other startups. He later launched a successful creative agency focused on branding, digital marketing, and content production in Los Angeles, where he worked for several nursing and behavioral health clients, eventually becoming the National Marketing Director for one of them.
He has taught Vipassana mindfulness meditation and MBSR and spends whatever free time he has with his son snowboarding, hiking, and camping in the mountains.