Homeobox gene

Home Health is a category of health care services that can be provided to patients in their home for the treatment of an illness or injury. The goal of home health care is to treat the illness or injury, improve the patient's independence, and achieve a higher level of functionality.

Overview

Home health care services are usually less expensive, more convenient, and just as effective as the care provided in a hospital or skilled nursing facility. The services may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, skilled nursing, and medical social services.

Eligibility

To be eligible for home health services, a patient must be under the care of a doctor, and must be receiving services under a plan of care established and reviewed regularly by a doctor. The patient must need, and a doctor must certify that the patient needs, one or more of the following: intermittent skilled nursing care, physical therapy, speech-language pathology services, or continued occupational therapy services.

Services

The services provided by home health care agencies must be under the direction of a physician. The services must be provided on a part-time or intermittent basis, and the patient must be homebound. This means that the patient is normally unable to leave home and that leaving home takes a considerable and taxing effort.

Benefits

The benefits of home health care include the ability to remain in a comfortable, familiar environment while receiving care. It can also provide a greater sense of independence and security, and can reduce hospital readmissions.

Challenges

Despite its many benefits, home health care also faces several challenges. These include the need for more home health care providers, the need for more training and education for these providers, and the need for more research to determine the best ways to deliver home health care.

See Also

• Health care
• Nursing home care
• Hospice care
• Palliative care