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Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: General Discussion => Topic started by: michelle.json on March 18, 2009, 09:37:41 PM

Title: Who provides home health care?
Post by: michelle.json on March 18, 2009, 09:37:41 PM
I am Michelle,
I am little confused.
I don't know who provide home health care.
I mean is it provide by government or any organization?
Help and suggestions greatly appreciate

Thanks in advance.
Title: Re: Who provides home health care?
Post by: jbeany on March 19, 2009, 08:59:18 AM
Do you mean provided or paid for?  There are plenty of private companies offering home health aides.  Getting it paid for, though, is a lot trickier.

Is the patient a senior citizen?  In my area, we have a group called Council for the Aging that offers some inexpensive home aid, but you have to financially qualify. 
Does the patient have private insurance or Medicare? Private insurance is more likely to have that option available.  As far as I know, Medicare won't pay for anything like that.
Every case is going to be different, and the options available are going to vary from state to state.  I didn't read your intro, so I don't know your background, but if you have access to a social worker thru a dialysis clinic, that might be the best place to start to find out what is available near you.
Title: Re: Who provides home health care?
Post by: Zach on March 19, 2009, 09:33:12 AM
Quote from: michelle.json on March 18, 2009, 09:37:41 PM
I am Michelle,
I am little confused.
I don't know who provide home health care.
I mean is it provide by government or any organization?
Help and suggestions greatly appreciate

Thanks in advance.

Hello Michelle! I hope you introduce yourself.

 8)
Title: Re: Who provides home health care?
Post by: RightSide on March 22, 2009, 08:25:42 PM
Just look in the Yellow Pages under "Nurses."  Typically you'll find listings like "Visiting Nurse Association (VNA)." 

The first issue is:  Do you need an actual nurse for routine medical care?  Or do you need someone to help you eat or bathe or go to the toilet--that type of person is called an "Aide."  Or do you need both?  Most VNAs will provide either or both services.

Then the trick is to find out if your insurance will pay for it; and if so, how many visits they will pay for.

I'm employing a visiting nurse right now, for caring for a large wound on my back that I cannot reach by myself.  And I've been very satisfied with the quality of care I have received.

The only problem is that it's difficult to arrange a specific schedule.  Nurses can be delayed by having to spend more time with other patients before they get to you, etc.  So it's a bit like waiting for the Sears repairman to show up at your door.  I have arranged for a nurse to visit me on days when I do NOT have dialysis.  Otherwise, if the nurse ran late, I would have to cancel and go to dialysis.