A Loving Gift

Article submitted by Karel Doggette,R.N. Director of Marketing and Business Development for Vanguard Home Health Services.
For more information, she can be reached at 1-800-239-3222.

Today, as part of the Baby Boomer generation, we should all be more in tune to the needs of the elderly. I watch my own parents and I am saddened by their decline. They are often overwhelmed by tasks that were once a part of their everyday routine. When they do seek help, they have difficulty communicating or explaining their needs to others. It would be easy to take charge and handle their needs and make decisions for them, but I don't want to rob them of the independence that they struggle daily to maintain.

What can I do for them?

I want to give them the security that they gave to me as a child. I want to give them the patience that they gave me as a difficult teen. I want to give them the comfort of a loving family. I want to give them care as it is needed. I want to give them a gift that includes these four things, Home Health Care.

Home Health Care is defined by the Department of Health and Human Resources" as that component of comprehensive health care whereby health services are provided to individuals and families in their places of residence for the purpose of promoting, maintaining, or restoring health, or maximizing the level of independence, while minimizing illness." The Medicare program is the largest provider of reimbursement for home care services nationally. This would encompass the elderly population 65 and over.

It is estimated that 60 percent of all persons over the age of 65 require some assistance with their medical or nursing care that cannot be provided by family or friends alone. Less than 50% of people that qualify for this assistance actually receive it.

One might ask, Why would that be? Home Care is still misunderstood by many people including health care professionals. Home Health Care allows someone's needs to be evaluated in their home where the clinician is able to determine their true medical needs. Safety issues, resources and nutrition can be evaluated This would be in addition to the traditional services such as wound care, dressing changes, medication teaching and catheter changes that are often considered appropriate for home health care. The person receiving home health care must be homebound, but this is not to be confused with bed bound! It is intended to be for persons who cannot travel to and from a health care facility independently and without a taxing effort.

Home Health Care can provide the things that most of us want to give our parents.

Home Care can reduce the need for costly hospitalization or nursing home care, it can reduce the length of hospital stays and it can reduce the number of emergency room visits. Home Health Care can provide emotional support, security and safety for the elderly.

Home Health Care can improve the health and quality life for your loved one. The needs may be short or long term and may require nursing, therapy, personal care assistance or social services.

Most all major medical insurance providers as well as Medicare and Medicaid cover Home Health services. For more information, call the agency nearest you.