Home Health Care vs. Hospitalization: A Guide

 

A high number of patients continue to require professional medical care when they leave a hospital. Professional home health care providers offer a broad range of care and support services for such patients. Most of these services are designed to help the terminally or chronically ill, the disabled, those recovering from hospital stays and senior persons with the essential activities of their daily lives. The home health care professionals are only allowed to perform tasks authorized by the patient’s doctor.

Home Health Care vs. Non-medical In-Home Care

Many Canadians don’t understand the difference between the terms home health care and non-medial in-home care. Patients and clients will mistake one for the other every now and then. As a medical professional, you may need to clarify the home care options available. It will help the patients make informed decisions on the type of care they require.

Home health care focusses on providing assistance to recovering patients with medical services such as IV therapy/injections, pain management, mobility training, wound care and occupational therapy. On the other hand, non-medical in-home care provides assistance to seniors and other people incapable of leading completely independent lives because of different mental and physical health conditions. Services provided by non-medical in-house professionals include help with bathing, toileting, transportation, medication management, meal preparation, and companionship.

Cost and Coverage

In most cases, patients and their families settle for a combination of the two care services. Choices will depend on the needs of the patient/senior, the cost of the services and coverage. Insurance plans provided by Canada’s national health care system in the 10 provinces cover basic standards and some common features of home health care for seniors. The plans vary from province to province, and the level of coverage you receive will depend on which region you come from. More often than not, supplemental care and equipment are required beyond certain coverage basics.

Selecting a Home Health Care Provider

Home health care services are often administered via nursing agencies. There are several factors you need to consider before you settle for a nursing agency. Here are a few things to look at:

• Check if the nursing agency is licensed to operate in your province.
• Check with accrediting bodies to confirm the agency’s accreditation status.
• Verify that the agency is approved by the Canadian health sector to provide Medicare services.
• Go through the agency’s printed brochures to see if the services offered meet the needs of your loved one.

Home health services can also be provided by a trained individual (caregiver). Conduct a comprehensive background check and personally interview the caregiver to make sure that they are qualified to provide the service.