Home Health Has Become A Popular Option For Elderly Patients ✓ Solved

Home health has become a popular option for elderly patients

Home health has become a popular option for elderly patients who do not meet the criteria for a skilled care facility for many reasons. These options include reduction of travel time, assistance at home, comfortability, and regaining independence. Home care visit requirements are broken down into different modules defined by Medicare. Modules include a qualifying criterion such as the patient being homebound, skilled need, intermittent care, and a physician's order. The important part of this module is that the patient needs to have a requirement for skilled care such as skilled nursing, physical therapy, speech therapy, or continued occupational therapy. If the patient is able to meet these need requirements, then the patient qualifies for home health. There are many pros to this for the patient, most importantly comfortability. One major concern is the lack of specialized equipment; however, many patients have progressed to the point where they do not need such equipment.

With the growing movement into the home health sector, there are more companies providing special equipment such as ventilators and feeding pumps. Medicare's efforts to specifically define qualifying criteria are seen as a positive step due to the preventative measure to reduce Medicare fraud. They also create a payer source, and with the existing demand for services, it becomes an attractive and smooth process for healthcare professionals. The evolution of home health is viewed as a great advancement in the healthcare community.

Overall, the comfort of being home during recovery and receiving necessary care is paramount. By adhering to Medicare's criteria and ensuring that home health services are effective and efficient, patients can enjoy improved health outcomes without the stress of traveling to healthcare facilities.

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Home health care has emerged as a significant aspect of modern healthcare, particularly for the elderly population. It encompasses a range of health and support services provided in the comfort of a patient's home. This model is especially beneficial for seniors who do not require the intensive resources of a skilled nursing facility but still need some level of medical assistance, rehabilitation, or everyday support. Understanding the framework and benefits of home health is crucial for healthcare providers, policymakers, and families navigating care options for older adults.

What is Home Health?

Home health refers to a variety of healthcare services that can be provided in a patient’s home, which include nursing care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and sometimes medical social services. According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), home health is designed to help patients recover from illness, manage chronic conditions, or maintain independence at home. It requires a physician's order and is typically delivered by licensed healthcare professionals.

Eligibility for Home Health Services

To qualify for home health services under Medicare, patients must meet certain criteria, including being homebound, requiring skilled nursing or therapy services, and having a plan of care established by a physician (Jaffe, 2019). This framework ensures that only those who genuinely need these services receive them, which is essential in managing costs and preventing fraud within the Medicare system.

Benefits of Home Health Care

One of the most significant advantages of home health services is the comfort and familiarity of the home environment. Patients often feel more at ease and less anxious when receiving care at home, which can enhance their overall recovery experience (Schroder et al., 2020). Additionally, home health may lead to improved health outcomes, as patients are more likely to adhere to their treatment plans in a familiar setting.

Moreover, home health care can provide a cost-saving alternative to institutional care. By reducing the need for hospitalization or long-term care facilities, home health services can alleviate some financial burdens on patients and the healthcare system (Ang & Dave, 2017). Medicare's coverage of home health services helps ensure that patients receive necessary support without incurring significant out-of-pocket expenses.

Challenges in Home Health Care

Despite the many advantages, there are challenges to the home health care model. One major concern is the access to specialized equipment and technology that some patients may need for their care. Even though many companies are developing home health technologies, the availability and cost of such equipment can still be a barrier (Schroder et al., 2020).

Furthermore, the requirement for regular physician oversight and recertification can lead to delays in care. Many healthcare providers argue that this is a restrictive measure that can hinder timely access to home health services, particularly for those who may not have anywhere else to turn for care (Jaffe, 2019). Efforts to allow nurse practitioners and other qualified professionals to certify home health needs may help mitigate these delays and promote more efficient care delivery.

The Future of Home Health Care

The future of home health care looks promising, particularly with advances in technology and telehealth. Remote monitoring systems and telemedicine have the potential to enhance the delivery of care by allowing healthcare providers to monitor patients' conditions and make timely interventions without requiring in-person visits. This can be especially beneficial for seniors who may face mobility challenges or other barriers to accessing care.

In conclusion, home health care represents a vital option for many elderly patients who require assistance but are not in need of institutional care. The comfort, flexibility, and potential cost savings are appealing benefits that can greatly enhance the quality of life for seniors. As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, it will be crucial for stakeholders to address the challenges of delivery and access to ensure that home health remains a viable and effective option for those in need.

References

• Ang, E., & Dave, J.K. (2017). Post-acute Care Rehabilitation Options. In S.C. McKean (Ed.), Principles and Practice of Hospital Medicine (2nd ed.). The United States of America: McGraw-Hill Education.
• Jaffe, S. (2019). Home Health Care Providers Struggle With State Laws And Medicare Rules As Demand Rises. HEALTH AFFAIRS, 38(6), 981–986.
• Schroeder, A.-K., Fassmer, A. M., Allers, K., & Hoffmann, F. (2020). Needs and availability of medical specialists’ and allied health professionals’ visits in German nursing homes: a cross-sectional study of nursing home staff. BMC HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH, 20(1).
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Medicare.gov. Retrieved from: https://www.medicare.gov.
• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (2020). Post-Stroke Rehabilitation Fact Sheet. Retrieved from: https://www.ninds.nih.gov.
• Henderson, G.V. (2018). In S.C. McKean, J.J. Ross, D.D. Dressler, D.B. Scheurer (Eds), The Principles and Practice of Hospital Medicine (2nd edition). McGraw-Hill Education.
• Sekhon, S., Patel, J., & Sapra, A. (2020). Late-Onset Depression. StatPearls Publishing. Retrieved from: https://www.statpearls.com.
• Szanto, K., Galfalvy, H., Kenneally, L., Almasi, R., & Dombrovski, A. Y. (2020). Predictors of serious suicidal behavior in late-life depression. European Neuropsychopharmacology, 40, 85–98.
• Golchin, N., Frank, S. H., Vince, A., Isham, L., & Meropol, S. B. (2017). Polypharmacy in the elderly. Journal of research in pharmacy practice, 4(2), 85–88.
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