Senior Organizations and Services

Home Health Care Definitions

HOME HEALTH AGENCIES – Refers to someone State licensed health care providers that offer both medical and non-medical assistance in the comfort of your home. Services include skilled nursing, occupational, physical and speech therapies, assistance with activities of daily living, homemaker services and transportation services, both local and long distance.

PERSONAL CARE SERVICES – Services provided by a companion/ sitter to be with your family member for a specified amount of time each day up to and including 24-hour supervision. The companions may provide assistance with routine activities such as cooking, cleaning, laundry, errands etc. Many agencies provide transportation to doctor visits, shopping etc, as well as recreational activities. They may not dispense medications.

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

INTRAVENOUS THERAPY

(IV THERAPY) – any medical treatments/medications that need to be introduced into the body via a patient’s veins including antibiotic and hydration therapy, pain management, chemotherapy, and central line care. Numerous IV Therapies can be provided in a patient’s home under supervision of a M.D.

RESPITE CARE – care that is shortterm or temporary. It is designed to give families a break from the stress of daily caregiving. Respite care can be for a few hours, overnight, or for days. The amount of care changes with the needs of the family and the patient.

SKILLED NURSING – a higher level of care where services are performed by a licensed Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse. Skilled Nursing includes, but is not limited to patient assessments, performance of prescribed medical treatments, administration of prescribed medications, education for the patient and the caregiver related to the disease process, treatment, health measures and medication management.

SOCIAL WORKER – a clinical social worker whose purpose in health care is to enhance, promote, maintain, and restore the best possible social abilities of the patient or family. Services provided may be preventive, developmental, or remedial in nature.

THERAPY SERVICES (ST, PT, OT) – A variety of services to assess, treat and rehabilitate patients to improve