Home health care services have many benefits. They can lower hospital readmissions, promote independence, and decrease costs. Below are some of the top reasons to hire a home health care provider:
Reduces hospital readmissions
Home healthcare services can lower the risk of hospital readmissions by as much as 25%. The team of home health care professionals includes nurses, physical and occupational therapists, social workers, and home health aides who monitor patients and provide assistance. Readmissions increase hospital costs and result in financial penalties for the hospital. By using a home health caregiver, hospitals will be less likely to face these penalties.
When a patient is hospitalized, it is best to begin discharge preparation as soon as possible. Having a professional home health caregiver visit the patient within three days of discharge will reassure them and remind them of their hospital to home care plan. Additionally, home health care professionals can provide education to the patient and make sure they understand their responsibilities. This helps the patient stay home longer and take responsibility for his or her own health.
Supports activities of daily living
If you are looking for assistance with daily activities, consider seeking out support from a home health caregiver. There are many different resources available. For example, long-term care insurance providers will ask about the person’s ability to perform ADLs. Other resources include an adult daycare center or assisted living facility. When determining whether a person will need help with daily activities, you can use an activities of daily living assessment worksheet to determine what kind of support is needed.
The activities of daily living are the basic skills and activities required to look after yourself. These tasks include bathing, dressing, and continence. A home health care assistant will assist in these activities. It is important to know the person’s abilities and limitations before beginning a home health caregiver service. For example, if someone has trouble opening a bottle, they might need help with a new piece of assistive equipment.
Reduces cost of care
Recent studies show that patients receiving home health care save an average of $6500 over a year. According to the study, home health care providers reduce the risk of emergency room visits and hospitalizations, which can be costly alternatives. Additionally, home health care helps cut down on health care waste. Humana, a health insurance company, partnered with researchers from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine to study the impact of home health care. They found that, on average, home health care providers saved patients $15233 a year and $6433 after adjusting for other covariates.
In addition, research shows that acute care provided in the comfort of the patient’s home can cost up to 52 percent less than hospital care. These savings may seem modest, but real-life experiences suggest that the savings can be even greater. One family spent nearly $20k on twelve hours of hospital care while another spent only $6,093 on 200 hours of home care. The cost of hospital stays can quickly break the family’s budget. Whether the patient is in a hospital or is receiving home care, they deserve the best possible care possible.
Promotes independence
Hiring a home health care provider is an excellent option to help you and your loved one live more independently. A home care professional can help your loved one to become more independent by encouraging them to complete activities on their own. For example, a physiotherapist can help you learn to walk again, or an occupational therapist can help you develop balance and coordination. Health care access centers can also provide in-home assessments by a physiotherapist or occupational therapist.
Promoting independence is important for older adults. It provides them with a sense of confidence, and keeps them from feeling like they are dependent on their caregiver. Seniors who want to maintain their independence should be able to perform tasks without constant supervision. Caregivers should avoid forcing the senior to do things they can complete on their own, and they should not push them into doing anything they don’t want to do.