Home healthcare
If you or a loved one has an illness or injury that makes it difficult to travel to a hospital or skilled nursing facility for care, home healthcare is an option that is just as effective (and usually less expensive).
Home health staff essentially treat an illness or injury. They may check your nutrition habits; your vital signs such as blood pressure, temperature, heart rate and breathing; and your medications. They can teach you techniques to care for yourself and communicate with your doctor and others on your care team.
Home healthcare can provide services including:
- Wound care for pressure sores or a surgical wound
- Patient and caregiver education
- Intravenous therapy
- Nutrition therapy
- Injections
- Monitoring serious illness and unstable health status
Besides the convenience, ways you can benefit from home healthcare include regaining independence, becoming more self-sufficient and maintaining your current condition or level of function.
If you’re referred to home healthcare, ask for a list of agencies that serve your area. Also, check your Medicare plan or other health insurance coverage for any covered home health benefits. If you have Geisinger insurance, LIFE Geisinger or Geisinger at Home are two programs that offer home healthcare.
For more information on home healthcare, visit medicare.gov.
