10 Frequently Asked Questions About Home Health Care
Your home health care questions answered
Making the decision to receive home health care, whether for yourself or a loved one, can be difficult. There are several questions that may arise, and you want to ensure you are making the best decision with all factors considered. At Knute Nelson Home Health Care, we understand the difficulties of this process, and we are here to walk with you every step of the way. Below, we have answered the most frequently asked questions about home health care.
Home health care FAQs
What is home health care?
Home health care allows you to get the care you need without leaving home. Services might include chronic illness management, skilled nursing, physical, occupational, or speech therapy, personal care and companionship, and more.
What is the goal of home health care?
Our home health care team will work with each individual to determine their unique goals. Some overall goals might include:
- Become as self-sufficient as possible
- Improve your outcomes
- Maintain or improve your current condition or level of function
- Reduce your risk of hospitalization
- Regain your independence
- Slow a decline in your health status
What services are available?
Knute Nelson Home Health Care offers a variety of services to meet the unique needs of each individual in our care. Services available include:
- Chronic illness monitoring and management
- Personal care and companionship
- In-home physical, occupational, and speech therapy
- Skilled nursing
- Home-based technology
How do I start services?
If you feel that home health care services might be right for you or a loved one, you will have to obtain orders from your primary care provider. If you are unsure how to obtain orders, our team would be happy to assist you. Once orders are received, our care team will work with you to schedule a time for a home assessment to evaluate your condition and needs. Contact us at 1 (844) 930-3775 or fill out an online form to begin the process.
What can I expect during a home health care visit?
Each client's home health care visit will look a little bit different depending on their condition, abilities, and needs. Some things you can expect with a home health care visit include:
- Questions about your health condition, pain, and progress and tips on how to manage your condition and move forward
- Vital sign checks
- Coordination of your care with you, your primary care provider, therapy providers, and other family of your choice
- Medication management and education
- Skilled nursing care, physical, occupational, or speech therapy, and home health aide services
- Tips and education on how to safely manage your condition and remain independent at home
Who pays?
Home health care is usually less expensive and as effective as care in a hospital or skilled nursing facility. It may be covered by Medicare, VA, private pay, or insurance plans. Our team will work with you to determine your eligibility and level of coverage.
Do I qualify?
After we receive a referral, a skilled clinician will come to your home and determine, based on your insurance, whether you qualify. Some, but not all, insurance requires that you are homebound to receive home health care services.
Being homebound means:
- You need help from a person and/or device to leave your home safely
- It takes considerable effort for you to leave your home
- You leave your home infrequently only for short periods of time
Where can I get home health care?
You can receive services wherever you call home.
How often will staff visit me?
Frequency of visits will vary with each client. Visits will be determined based on your condition, needs, insurance coverage, and recommendations from your primary care provider and home health clinician.
Is home health care right for me?
If you are unsure whether home health care is right for you or a loved one, take our free online assessment. This short 4-5 minute assessment can help you identify if it is safe for you or a loved one to remain at home and if home health care options might be suitable.
Begin your search for care with Knute Nelson
If you are ready to explore your options for home health care, we invite you to visit our website to learn more about our service offerings and locations. For additional information, contact our home health care team at 1 (844) 930-3775 or fill out an online form.
Meet the author
Alyssa Rohloff is a seasoned healthcare leader with over a decade of expertise in home health care, and currently serves as the Vice President of Home and Community Based Services for Knute Nelson. A graduate of North Dakota State University, Rohloff holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, complemented by a minor in Human Development and Family Sciences.
Throughout her career, which has been exclusively centered on the home health care sector, Rohloff has passionately championed the cause of enabling individuals to maintain their independence at home, leveraging the power of home health care services such as nursing, therapy, and caregiving. Her dedication to improving the lives of those she serves is a testament to her unwavering commitment to the well-being of her community.
Last updated October 23rd, 2023
