Saturday, March 7, 2015

Taking A Look At Home Health Care Pottsville PA

By Beryl Dalton


There are a variety of services designed to help seniors continue to live independently. For the individual who needs help on a daily basis but is no ready to go into a long term care facility, home health care Pottsville PA may be the solution. The services provided can keep the individual from entering skilled nursing prematurely. The patient who can recover at home often does better than the one who does not.

Services can include skilled nursing, physical and occupational therapy, and speech therapy. Help may be needed with performing activities of daily living, also referred to as ADLs. These ADLs include eating, bathing, and getting dressed. On a lower level of care the services might include light housekeeping, cooking, laundry, and monitoring the consumers management of medications.

It is important that folks know the difference between health services and support services and understand them. Therapy provided in the home for a medical condition can include those that are also provided by a support agency. However, the health agency is geared more for medical need. The support agencies provide help with daily chores while the health provider assists those recovering from illness an injury.

The people who provide treatment for physical conditions usually are certified aides, LPNs, and therapists. These individuals work for agencies, public health departments, and hospitals and are licensed with the state. Individuals working with support services do not need to be licensed and depending on the program criteria, do not even need to be certified.

Anyone who is considering health care in the home should make sure the provider offers quality assistance. Speak to your relatives and friends to find out what agency they recommend. Take time to call your local aging agency for information regarding local providers. The agency will probably not make a recommendation but they can offer some very helpful tips you should consider when looking for the right agency.

There are a number of questions to ask during your interview with the agencies. For instance, ask every agency how many years they have been in operation. Take a look at the company brochures to gather information about the cost and services. It is important to make sure an agency can meet all the needs of the patient. The agency that is not able to meet all needs should not be considered.

You should also find out what insurance is accepted by the agency. The services that are provided through a support agency are not usually covered by insurance, however medical services typically are. Check for certification by a national organization to ensure quality of care. Providers who are certified are held to a higher standard.

Before you start your search take a moment and jot down the questions that you want to get answers to. Ask to see the current license for each agency and ask about their insurance. Also inquire about the level of supervision provided on each case. Make sure you are comfortable with the agency you choose. It is also important to make sure there is always communication between the provider, agency, and the family.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment