How does home healthcare work?

What is home healthcare?

Home healthcare provides medical and non-medical assistance to the elders in their homes with a coordinated effort, including skilled nurses to therapy sessions. 

The procedure often involves multiple steps to ensure prompt care and assistance.

How does home healthcare work?

Home healthcare begins with a comprehensive assessment. A qualified healthcare professional will evaluate your health condition, medical history and other requirements. This forms the basis for designing a customised plan. 

Personalised care plan:

Your home healthcare plan should be as personalised as you are. It outlines the specific medical services you need, the frequency of visits, and the duration of care. 

Qualified caregivers:

A team of healthcare experts, including nurses and therapists, will be assigned based on your medical needs. They bring expertise and compassionate touch to your doorstep. 

Scheduled visits:

Regular visits will be scheduled according to your care plan. During these visits, your healthcare team administers your treatment, monitors the progress, and ensures you're on track towards better health. 

Monitoring and support:

Beyond medical interventions, home healthcare focuses on monitoring your progress and providing emotional support. It's not just about physical health but also your overall well-being. 

Who needs it?

Elderly individuals:

Our elders at home face the most difficult challenges in visiting hospitals and medical facilities. Home healthcare benefits them by bringing medical care close to their home. 

Chronic medical condition:

For those managing chronic medical conditions like diabetes or heart disease, home healthcare simplifies the process by providing regular checkups and guidance. 

Post-hospitalisation care

After your surgery or hospital stay, you might still require more time to recover, and home health care ensures you heal comfortably. 

Paediatric patients

Sick children are better off receiving medical attention at home, surrounded by their loved ones from familiar spaces.

End-of-life Care

During the last stages of life, individuals prefer the comfort of their homes. Home healthcare offers palliative care and emotional support during this time. 

Types of home healthcare

1. Doctor and nursing care 

2. Physical, occupational and speech therapy

3. Medical social services

4. Basic assistance care

5. Volunteer care

6. Transportation

7. Pharmaceutical services

8. Nutritional support

How to prepare? 

Preparing for home healthcare requires a few checklists as follows;

1. Clear Communication

Honest and clear communication with your healthcare provider is the key. Discuss your needs, concerns and preferences openly to receive the best care possible. 

2. Setting up your space

Prepare your space to create a comfortable and accessible space for your healthcare providers to work. Also, ensure that medications and medical records are within easy reach. 

3. Active participation

Your active participation is crucial to receiving proper home healthcare services. Follow the plan as recommended, take up medications as prescribed, and communicate any changes you may witness in your health. 

4. Trusting the process 

This is the most crucial step in the whole process. Trust your healthcare provider and their expertise so that they will guide you towards achieving better health. 

Benefits of home healthcare

1. Care in the comfort zone 

Hospitals and the environment are often associated with stress. Being in your home in your comfort zone reduces this stress and anxiety, allowing you to undergo your treatment peacefully.

2. Tailored care

Home healthcare isn't generic. Home healthcare plans are customised based on your unique needs and health conditions.

3. Reduced commute 

Commuting becomes tedious, especially when there are fewer transportation facilities or heavy traffic from your vicinity. Home health care reduces this hassle since medical care comes knocking at your door. 

4. Family involvement 

Your family and loved one's involvement is crucial since they should be aware of what's happening to you, which assists them in providing better support. Home healthcare gives way to this opportunity. 

5. Cost-effective

Home healthcare minimises your hospital stay that comes along with unnecessary tests, procedures leading to potential cost savings in the longer run. This saves around 20-25% of your total savings. 

Challenges of home healthcare

While there are multiple benefits the home health care offers, it's also important to acknowledge that any aspect of healthcare comes with its own challenges of the following;

• Infrastructure and accessibility

• Lack of immediate resources

• Availability of a caregiver 

• Difficulties handling emergency situations

• Feeling of isolation. 

With the given challenges, it's essential to consider who needs homecare services after thoroughly analysing their condition for safe and active healthcare.

Does home healthcare cover insurance?

Availability of Insurance coverage for home healthcare can vary based on factors like location, insurance plan and specific services required. 

You may receive insurance for the following;

1. Pre and post-hospitalisation charges

2. Day care treatments

3. OPD treatments

4. Domiciliary hospitalisation is when you cannot receive medical facilities or visit a hospital for specific treatments. 

Insurance doesn't cover services like acupuncture, acupressure, naturopathy etc. Before opting for one, consult your insurance provider to check whether the intended treatment is covered under the insurance policy. The benefits of home healthcare always outweigh the challenges that exist. 

On the bottom line, choose the best for you and take informed decisions with the help of your healthcare and insurance provider.