When you or a loved one needs extra support after an illness, injury, or hospital stay, home health care services bring expert medical and personal care services right to your doorstep. Instead of moving to a nursing home or skilled nursing facility (SNF), you can receive the care you need while staying in the familiar and comforting surroundings of home.
Depending on your condition, home health care can include skilled medical services, assistance with daily activities, or a combination of both. However, services may vary based on state regulations and provider licensing.
What Home Health Care Services Can You Receive?
If your physician recommends medical support at home, a certified home health agency will provide skilled care from licensed professionals, including registered nurses (RNs), nurse practitioners (NPs), therapists, and medical social workers. Certified Home Health Aides (CHHAs) work closely with these professionals to ensure you receive compassionate, reliable care tailored to your needs.
What is a Home Health Aide?
A Home Health Aide is a trained and certified professional who assists you with daily activities, such as personal hygiene, meal preparation, and mobility support. Working under the supervision of home healthcare nursing or therapy providers, HHAs ensure you receive the support you need to stay safe and comfortable at home.
Home Health Aides are considered healthcare paraprofessionals and must meet specific training requirements, pass background checks, and fulfill other state and federal regulations. Their responsibilities vary depending on your condition, so they must be flexible and prepared for diverse care needs.
Services Provided by Boost Home Healthcare’s Home Health Aides
Our Home Health Aides, in conjunction with nursing or therapy services, may assist with:
- Turning or moving you to prevent discomfort
- Grooming assistance (brushing hair, shaving, oral care)
- Feeding support and tracking food and liquid intake
- Documenting health-related information
- Changing bed linens
- Restocking medical supplies
- Assisting with some medical procedures
- Following safety procedures
- Helping with transportation within the home
- Bathing assistance
- Dressing assistance
- Nail care (excluding trimming or cutting)
- Support with catheter care and dressing changes
- Medication reminders (not administration)
- Light housekeeping related to your care
- Ambulation and mobility assistance
Click here to learn more about specific Home Health Aide services that may be provided in conjunction with nursing or therapy services.
Home Health Aide Support & Medicare Coverage
Medicare only covers Home Health Aide services if you are also receiving skilled nursing care or therapy services as part of a certified home health plan. These services help with personal care tasks such as bathing, grooming, and dressing, but they do not include ongoing custodial care when skilled services are not required.
Most Home Health Aide visits occur during weekdays during normal business hours, though some agencies may offer early morning or evening visits based on your specific needs. You or your loved ones can coordinate with the agency to ensure the most suitable schedule for your situation. Visits follow a set schedule, some agencies may provide limited availability for urgent needs, subject to staffing and medical necessity.
In most cases, Medicare covers Home Health Aide services on a part-time or intermittent basis. This generally means:
- Up to 8 hours per day, with a maximum of 28 hours per week for combined skilled nursing and Home Health Aide services.
- If your physician determines that you need additional care, Medicare may temporarily increase to up to 35 hours per week for a limited period.
If your physician determines that additional care is medically necessary, Medicare may allow a temporary increase in services, up to 35 hours per week for a limited period. Overnight or 24-hour care is generally not covered by Medicare but may be available through private pay or long-term care insurance. It is important to note what services will not be covered by Medicare:
- At-home 24-hour-a-day care
- Home meal delivery
- Homemaker services (like shopping and cleaning) unrelated to the care plan
- Custodial or personal care that helps with daily living activities (like bathing, dressing, or using the bathroom) when this is the only type of care needed.
Learn About Boost Home Healthcare Services
When you or a loved one are recovering from an illness or injury, transitioning from a hospital stay, or working to regain independence, Boost Home Healthcare is here to deliver the care you need in the space you love. We offer more convenient – and often more affordable – care compared to hospitals or skilled nursing facilities. As an added benefit, our approach is entirely personalized for you and your changing needs. Our goal for the patient’s home care experience is to make it the best it can be. That includes adding higher levels of quality, communication, service and trust.
Our nurse-inspired care is designed to improve recovery times, and our team is highly qualified to offer much of the care you would receive at a hospital or medical facility right from home. Additionally, our communication with patients and families is ongoing so everyone can work together as one unified team toward recovery.
Learn more about how home health services can support your or your loved one’s care needs by starting your assessment today. Connect to a Boost Home Healthcare location near you.
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