What is Home Health Care?

In its broadest definition, home health care describes a wide range of necessary medical, nursing, therapeutic, social, and supportive care services that are delivered in the home and community to people from infancy to old age and at all stages of life between birth and death.

Most people prefer the comfort and security of their own homes for recovery and rehabilitation after an illness or injury. In recent years, home care has gained heightened emphasis because it offers highly skilled, reliable, affordable care in the friendly setting of one's home. In addition, the middle-aged children of elderly parents are increasingly dependent upon home care agencies to provide safe and reliable health and supportive services to their parents.

For decades, home health care was synonymous with Visiting Nurse Associations (VNAs). With the rapid growth of the hospice movement, however, the practice of home care has been divided into clinical specialty areas.

• Home health care most frequently describes the wide variety of clinical and supportive services that were historically provided by VNAs.
• Palliative and hospice care refers specifically to end-of-life care that is provided to people of all ages, as well as the support that is given to their loved ones. Palliative Care is a global term used to describe the art of pain and symptom management for patients with advanced or life-threatening illnesses.
• Supportive services is a general term for homemaking, companion care, and private duty services that are provided by paraprofessional and nursing staff, often for extended blocks of time. Payment is usually the responsibility of the patient..
• Community health clinics and Support groups are important tools for health education and outreach.

What Makes Home Health & Hospice Care Unique?

There are several attributes that differentiate HHHC from other home care agencies.

• HHHC has a 126-year history of non-profit service to area residents.
• HHHC is an independent, freestanding health care provider, independently owned and operated.
• HHHC has dedicated clinical specialty teams.
• HHHC has extended referral hours that include weekends.
• HHHC's website allows physicians to make online referrals.
• HHHC owns and operates the Community Hospice House in Merrimack, NH.

These are a few examples of the Home Health & Hospice Care difference.

Payment Options

Home care and hospice and palliative care services are paid for in a variety of ways. HHHC accepts reimbursement through medical insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, and private fees. The agency has provider contracts with most major insurance companies. To the extent possible, services are available to all who need care, regardless of ability to pay. For people who have limited incomes or unusual financial circumstances, a sliding scale is applied to service fees.

HHHC receives funding from local, state, and federal grants. We are also assisted by private donations, memorials, special events, the support of the Good Cheer Society, municipal funding, and the United Way of Greater Nashua. Home Health & Hospice Care staff will work with you to determine how to handle all challenges -- physical, emotional, and financial.

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