Senior
October 30, 2015 [B1]
www.kentreporter.com
FALL 2015
Which Suits Your Needs: Home Health or Home Care? BY LAURA NENCETTI, WESLEY HOMES DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES www.wesleyhomes.org • 855-445-8827
When it comes to home health and home care, the terminology can be frustrating and confusing. The best way to remember the difference between home health and home care is that “home health” is medical and usually prescribed by a physician after a hospital stay. “Home care” is non-medical and is used so quality of life can be maintained in the home. Since home health is considered medical, it is often covered by
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Medicare.
Home Care offers but is not limited to:
To remain at home, seniors may need a combination of these two types of care.
• Assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
For example, a home health professional would be equipped to change prescriptions, while a home care provider would help with reminders to take medications on a daily basis. Also, a home health professional has the authority to change therapy to a different program if the current program is not working. A home care provider would be there to help accomplish these therapies and watch for any problems that come up.
• Dressing
Home Health includes but is not limited to: • IV injections
• Cleaning • Bathing • Transferring • Grooming • Assistance with Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) • Grocery shopping • Cooking • Laundry
• Catheter care • Diet/health management for diseases (e.g. diabetes) • Ventilator care
• Housekeeping • Medication assistance • Various chores/errands • Companionship
• Medication management • Durable Medical Equipment (DME) • Rehabilitation • Physical, speech and occupational therapies
Finding an agency that has both home health > ` i V>Ài à Li iw V > > ` V Ûi i Ì because a nurse with home health and a caregiver with home care would be able to combine their ivv ÀÌÃ Ì VÀi>Ìi > V>Ài « > ëiV w V> Þ v À Ì i client’s needs.
Family of Friends • One and Two Bedroom apartments available
for Independent, Active Seniors 55+ • Washer/Dryer in each apartment • Indoor Pool, Fitness Room, Craft & Woodshop • Knitting, Sewing and Beekeeping Clubs! • Lots of Fun Activities & Trips!
206-243-0300 2805 S 125th Street Burien, WA 98168 www.boulevardparkplace.com
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