More patients and doctors are choosing home health, especially as we get into the colder season. But what goes into that decision? We’ve collected some of the top benefits of using a home health service.
3. Limited time in a hospital or nursing facility
One of the most obvious benefits of home healthcare is that it limits the amount of time a person has to spend in the hospital or in a nursing facility. When older adults need surgery or other medical interventions, they often need some form of skilled nursing or therapy to help them recover. With home health, that skilled nurse or therapist is able to go to the person’s home. This can bring more ease-of-mind, not only to the person getting treatment, but also to their loved ones.
This benefit is especially important when viral illnesses are spreading in the community. The obvious example for this year is COVID-19, but the annual cold and flu seasons are applicable as well. Medical facilities are kept extremely clean, but less contact with a hospital means less contact with other people that could pass on viral illness.
Finally, home healthcare can help people avoid being readmitted to the hospital. If a person has minor complications after a medical procedure, a skilled nurse could come to their home and help them manage it. This saves time, money, and energy that the person could be putting toward their recovery.
2. Cost efficiency
Another benefit of home health care is cost-efficiency. Home health is covered by many insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, and can be significantly less expensive than many other forms of care. A person staying at a medical facility has to use that facility’s bed, stay in one of their rooms, eat their food and use that facility’s resources for their daily life. All of that is part of the cost of the facility. With home health, a person is staying in their own bed, in their own home, and using their own resources for their daily life. In that case, the person is only paying for the costs of getting their medical treatment.
As we mentioned previously, home health can keep people out of the hospital, which in turn saves them money. Research also suggests that patients recover more quickly at home. When a person is in a familiar environment and more comfortable, it’s easier for them to focus on recovery.
1. Greater Comfort and Support
People are naturally more comfortable in their own homes, and that can make it much easier for them to focus on their recovery. They often also have a stronger sense of independence and control over their own care. That sense of control can then lead to a higher morale. Getting care at home means that a patient can get back to their regular daily life more quickly. It’s easier for patients to see how their treatment plan will improve their life, which can be incredibly motivating.
At the same time, being at home means a person has more access to their support system in the form of family and friends. Family members can be more involved with the treatment. This can be very helpful to a patient, as their support system is more involved and informed of their health.
Many patients and doctors choose home health for some combination of these reasons. There are many benefits to getting home healthcare. Haven Home Health’s highly personalized care focuses on the goals of the individual patient. We want to help each person get back to doing what they love. If you think home health could be the right choice for you or your loved one, check out our Home Healthcare page and give us a call if you have any questions.