When Is Long-Term Home Healthcare Appropriate?

Every time we work with a patient, there’s a process we go through in order to make sure that they’re getting the best care available from our home healthcare agency. (In fact, we even wrote a blog about the process called “The Extensive Care We Take Before In-Home Care Begins.”)

But that’s what happens when you enter into a working relationship with our agency. Before that, there are many people involved — usually the patient’s children, doctor, and insurance provider — deciding whether or not it’s actually the appropriate time for home healthcare. Today we’re going to take a look at some of the deciding factors that help determine if home healthcare is the correct action. While these are certainly not set in stone, there are many points to consider before a home healthcare agency gets involved.

If They Have Advanced Medical Device Needs

No matter whether a family needs pediatric home healthcare or an individual needs help after sustaining a serious injury, Tendercare is there to help with the complexities of the equipment that is needed. We’re constantly training on the most recent equipment and techniques. A doctor will usually be the one who prescribes the equipment and requests that insurance pays for home healthcare services. A patient requiring long-term care with complex equipment — ventilators, tracheostomy, CPAP, intravenous administration, and antibiotic therapy — won’t be able to handle it, even with the help of family members.   

If They Have Congenital Conditions

Sometimes the needs of a child with a particular illness, such as muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, SMA, and other genetic disorders — goes beyond what the family can provide. After all, the term “special needs” exists for a reason; the child has needs which require special attention. In such a case, we’re more than happy to extend our services. We have nurses who specialize in this type of care, and understand the special in special needs.

If They Won’t Head To A Nursing Home

There are some times when insurance doesn’t even come into play. For instance, a family might be fighting with an aging parent about heading to a nursing home. If the parent simply isn’t going to give it, it might be easier for them to simply hire an at-home caregiver to come in for part of the day who can assist with medications and hygiene practices. In the end, this can even cost less than a nursing home, all the while giving the elderly parent the independence that they obviously still need.

If They Have a Serious Illness

Many adults with kidney disease, heart failure, debilitating diabetes, or other serious illness require careful monitoring but aren’t necessarily in need of full-time care such as a nursing home. While they might not be able to perform all of the necessary care for themselves, they are able to live on their own with the help of a homecare agency.

Will At Home Care Be Less Expensive?

While it might sound callous, it’s a fact of life that money comes into play when it comes to at-home healthcare. In pretty much every case, home healthcare is going to be considerably less expensive than a hospital stay, and the insurance provider will most likely choose that if it is an option. In many cases, this is a positive thing: the patient gets to stay in their own home. It’s also easier on their family members to take part in the care if the patient is in their home rather than in a hospital.

If you or a loved one is in need of long-term care, Tendercare is ready to help once it’s been decided that home healthcare is the way to go. Learn more about our services here.