Home Health Skilled Care Definitions

HEALTH AT HOME – SKILLED CARE AGENCIES SKILLED CARE DEFINITIONS

DIABETIC CARE – Refers to services including patient assessment, specific diet information, management of the disease process, medication manage-ment and education on all the above. Services provided by Registered Nurse under the supervision of a M.D. Some agencies may have certified diabetic nurse instructors or cardiac care specialty RN’s in their employ.

ENTERAL FEEDING –Also called tube feeding, is a way to deliver nutrients through a tube if you cannot take food or drink through your mouth.

HOUR MINIMUM – The least number of hours a Non-Medical Home Care Agency will be available for hire. Medicare certified Home Health Agencies are not on a specified time frame.

HOSPICE – Refers to a comprehensive program of care to patients and families facing a life threatening illness. Hospice emphasizes palliative rather than curative treatment. The dying are comforted. Professional medical care is given, and sophisticated symptom relief provided.

INTRAVENOUS THERAPY (IV) – Refers to any medical treatments/ medications that need to be introduced into the body via a patient’s veins. Numerous IV Therapies can be provided in a patient’s home under supervision of a MD. Some of these include: inter-infective/antibiotic therapies, hydration therapy, pain management, chemotherapy and central line care and maintenance.

MED-ALERT SYSTEMS – Personal medical alert products activated by pushing a button.

PRIVATE DUTY PERSONAL CARE – Assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADL’s), homemaking, companionship and other non-medical in home care. These services are available for hire after, or in conjunction with, Medicare certified services. Private payment, Medicaid and Veterans Benefits are a few of the ways personal care can be paid for.

PSYCHIATRIC CARE – Refers to the agencies’ ability to offer services related to psychiatric support with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental illness. Services may include counseling or administering of medications.