What is Home Health Care?

Home healthcare is a professional assistance service encompassing a full range of medical care. A team of skilled professionals and administers provide specialized care under a physician's direction within the patients' homes. Care may include nursing care, special therapy and assistance with personal care. Physicians often order homecare after hospitalization or after a period of general mental instability. Because selecting a home health provider is up to the patient or caregiver, it is important to know about home healthcare and the services each agency provides.

Homecare can benefit patients in many ways:

·  Provides quicker recovery time - Typically, patients recover faster at home.

·  Provides convenience - Patients regularly can have scheduled visits without leaving home.

·  Provides privacy - Patients are in their homes rather than an office or exam room.

·  Provides comfort - Patients are in a familiar and safe place.

·  Cost effective - Home healthcare usually is less expensive compared with a long-term    hospital or nursing home stay.

Plan of Care

Based on admission assessment, New England Home Health Services professional staff members will develop an individualized plan of care for a patient's needs. The patient's physician will order all medications and treatments. New England Home Health Services staff will inform the physician of any changes in the patient's care.

Additionally, we will review the patient's plan of care and make any necessary changes based on orders from the physician or if there is a change in the patient's health status. New England Home Health Services staff members inform patients and caregivers on all areas of their plan of care.

Patients have the right to refuse any medication or treatment provided by a home health agency. Under such circumstances, New England Home Health Services may require a written statement from the patient relinquishing New England Home Health Services responsibility for what may occur if care is refused. New England Home Health Services staff members also will notify the patient's physicians if any care is refused.