Taking A Look At Home Health Care Pottsville PA

By Beryl Dalton


There are a variety of services designed to help seniors continue to live independently. For the individual who needs help on a daily basis but is no ready to go into a long term care facility, home health care Pottsville PA may be the solution. The services provided can keep the individual from entering skilled nursing prematurely. The patient who can recover at home often does better than the one who does not.

Services can include skilled nursing, physical and occupational therapy, and speech therapy. Help may be needed with performing activities of daily living, also referred to as ADLs. These ADLs include eating, bathing, and getting dressed. On a lower level of care the services might include light housekeeping, cooking, laundry, and monitoring the consumers management of medications.

It is vital that people understand the difference between health services and support services. Knowing the differences will ensure the person gets the appropriate assistance. Assistance for a medical condition may involve some of the same services provided by home support agencies. However, they typically help with the individuals medical need. The support service agency provides assistance with chores and the health care agency attends to the senior recovering from a medical condition.

The employees that treat consumers with medical issues are therapists, LPNs, and certified aides. They are licensed by the state and work for public health departments, hospitals, and agencies. On the other hand, folks who work for support services are not required to be licensed and may not even have to be certified depending on the agency policy.

Anyone who is considering health care in the home should make sure the provider offers quality assistance. Speak to your relatives and friends to find out what agency they recommend. Take time to call your local aging agency for information regarding local providers. The agency will probably not make a recommendation but they can offer some very helpful tips you should consider when looking for the right agency.

There are several things you should ask when interviewing an agency. Begin by asking how long they have been in existence. Ask to see any brochures they have that give information on services and cost. Matching the services to patient need is very important. If an agency cannot meet all the needs of the individual you should move on.

You should also find out what insurance is accepted by the agency. The services that are provided through a support agency are not usually covered by insurance, however medical services typically are. Check for certification by a national organization to ensure quality of care. Providers who are certified are held to a higher standard.

Before you contact an agency write down all the questions you can think of. Include questions about the current license for the company and what type of insurance they carry. In addition, ask about supervision. It is important that you are confident that all interactions with your loved one are closely supervised. It is also vital that they keep open communication with family members.




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