Frequently Asked Questions
Home Care
Who is eligible for home care?
There are several requirements for receiving home care:
- You must have a doctor prescribe home care.
- You must need either skilled nursing care on an intermittent basis or therapy services (i.e., physical/occupational/speech therapy)
- You must be restricted in your ability to leave home (“homebound”), and your homebound status must be certified by a physician.
This means that you require the help or supervision of another person, or you use a supportive device such as a cane or walker. You can leave the home as often as you need for medical treatment. You are allowed brief and infrequent absences from the home for some non-medical reasons, such as an occasional trip to the barber/beauty shop or a walk around the block.
More detailed information about eligibility is available in The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services guide, “Medicare and Home Health Care (PDF).”
Will my insurance cover home health care?
If you meet certain eligibility requirements, Medicare may pay for your covered home care for as long as you’re eligible and your doctor certifies that you need it.
Additionally, Medicaid or your private insurance also may cover home health care, or some services that Medicare doesn’t cover. Check with your state Medicaid program or insurance company to learn about their specific eligibility requirements.
What can I expect from my first visit?
On the first visit, a nurse or therapist will conduct an initial evaluation. This thorough interview and evaluation is part of a coordinated approach to manage your overall health. Our evaluation focuses on educating you in self-care management, identifies your goals for care and partners with your doctor to promote disease prevention and proactive care – which includes the family or caregivers.
This team approach facilitates an easier transition for you from a hospital or nursing facility to your home, and actively engages you and your caregivers in your health care.
How often will I be seen?
The frequency of visits and the services provided are based on your doctor’s orders, your initial evaluation and your personal plan of care.
Hospice
What does hospice provide?
In most cases, a family member serves as the primary caregiver and helps make decisions for a loved one. The caregiver works with the professional, experienced members of the hospice care team to develop a plan to provide treatment, support, personal care and a number of specialized services for both the patient and family. Our hospice care team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to provide assistance in managing your individual needs.
The Hospice Team includes:
Patient and Family
Attending Physician
Hospice Care Physician
Hospice Care Nurses
Home Health Aides
Social Workers
Volunteers
Chaplains
Bereavement Counselors
Who is eligible for hospice care?
The hospice benefit is intended primarily for any individual with a terminal illness whose life expectancy is six months or less, should the illness run its usual course. However, the Medicare program recognizes that not all terminal illnesses have a predictable course; therefore, the benefit is available for extended periods of time beyond six months.
How can I arrange for hospice care?
Anyone can make a referral for hospice care services. It will require a physician order. We are a available to meet with you and provide care in local hospitals, or in extended-stay facilities, such as nursing homes and assisted living centers.
What if my physician hasn’t talked to me about hospice care?
Most physicians are familiar with hospice care. However, if your physician would like to receive more information about our services, we would be glad to reach out and provide this educational outreach as part of our mission. Hospice care information also is available from the National Hospice Palliative Care Organization, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Hospice Center and many other health organizations.
What are the different levels of hospice care?
Hospice care recognizes that different patients require different levels of care, and we respond by offering the category of care that meets the individual patient’s needs – in the location that is most appropriate and comfortable. These categories of hospice care include:
Routine Home Care
We will provide hospice care to wherever you call home. Often, this means providing care in the patient’s own home, and our team of professionals schedule regular home visits to ensure that medical, social and emotional needs are met.
General Inpatient Care
If pain or symptoms cannot be controlled at home, the patient might require more intensive skilled nursing care and monitoring. This can be provided at the Community Hospice House. When the symptoms are under control, the patient can return home.
Respite Care
Many patients have their own caregivers, often family members. When caregivers need a rest from their caregiving responsibilities, patients can stay in a hospital or other inpatient care center for up to five days.