Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and other private insurance plans typically cover home health care ordered by a doctor. Medicare Advantage and private plans may require people to use a provider in their network. Medicare does not cover non-medical senior care or personal care when it is the only care required by a patient. Long-term care insurance may cover some of the cost of in-home senior care services. Veterans and their spouses can use VA Aid and Attendance benefits to pay for home health care.

Skilled home health care is medical care provided by licensed nurses, nurse aides, or therapists. Support usually begins with a prescription from a doctor.

Home health visits include medical assessments, wound care, IV therapy, and physical therapy. Nurses and aides can also maintain, or help you learn how to maintain, feeding tubes, colostomy bags, oxygen, and other medical equipment. Visits can include fall prevention, education, and strategies to help older adults recover, stay independent, and reduce unplanned hospital visits.

Companion care or senior care is non-medical assistance at home. Sometimes older adults need extra help getting up in the morning, personal hygiene, household chores, or transportation to stay independent.

In most states, personal care aides can remind someone to take medications or help them self-administer medicines. They are typically not allowed to administer oral or injectable medications. Some states enable personal care aides with advanced training to administer medications.

Home health care can be provided wherever a person calls home. Caring Arms Homecare Services can customize the support to specific needs at home, in a senior living community, or even in a friend’s or relative’s home.

Your doctor will create a care plan with you and the home health provider. The frequency of visits adapts to your needs over time. For example, you may receive the following:

Weekly home health visits at the beginning

Bi-weekly or monthly home health visits as your condition improve

As-needed home care for medical emergencies or complications

A home health team includes a full-time nurse, certified nursing assistant (CNA), home health aide (HHA), and therapists. They are available to answer your questions and help you get the care you need. Compassus offers support at every stage of your home health journey.

No, people may receive a referral from a doctor, including a primary care doctor or specialist. A home health care team will work with you to develop a personalized plan of care that addresses your unique needs and goals.