Tips for Arranging Home Health Care in an Emergency
Any emergency with an aging parent is stressful. It’s hard not to feel the pressure as you worry about the outcome of this event. Whether your mom has a stroke that requires a long recovery or she’s fell and broke her hip, you need to take time to arrange the care services she needs.
Home health care is one of the most important services to arrange before your mom leaves the hospital. Instead of bringing her home and trying to manage her care needs on your own, you have a skilled nurse to help her with tasks like wound care, IV medications, injectable medications, and education.
How do you make sure you make the right decisions? Here are some tips that help guide you through the process.
Ask Questions
Home Health Care Arlington, VA: Arranging Home Health Care
Have a list of questions ready when you call or meet with a home health care specialist. If you’re unsure what the differences are between occupational therapists and physical therapists, ask for clarification. If you’re not sure what an LNA can and cannot do, discuss it as there may be some care levels that an LNA cannot handle that an RN does.
Another reason you want to ask questions is that some educational options allow you to learn how to help your mom. If she was in the hospital because she has diabetes and her blood sugar levels climbed to dangerously high levels, you could learn about her new dietary needs with her.
Consider Finances But Don’t Panic Over Them
Medicare, Medicaid, and other health insurance plans help cover home health care if it’s medically necessary. Don’t panic over how to afford the care your mom needs. Instead, ask the insurance company how long the coverage is allowed.
There may be time limits to follow before your mom would pay out of pocket. Those time limits are often adjustable if a physician states the care services must be extended.
Talk to Her Doctors
Your mom’s medical team has done this so many times before. The hospital should pair you with a social worker to help guide you through the process. They will have recommendations and help you understand what services to arrange. Start your search after you’ve discussed what the next weeks and months look like.
As soon as you talk to your mom’s doctor, ask about the home health care services she needs to continue to improve. Once you know the necessary services, call an agency and make arrangements.