Complex Care Management vs. Home Health: Whats the difference?
Aug 26, 2021
When a patient or loved one needs ongoing care after a hospital or inpatient stay, the priority is making sure they are set up with the appropriate help when they get home. Often, the patients family is unaware of the differences in the types of care their loved one can receive at home and they look to the provider for guidance in making the best decision. For care providers, it is important to help patients and their loved ones understand that different levels of care exist and can change over time depending on prognosis. For patients and families, knowing different types of care are available can help ensure they understand the care they are receiving is the most appropriate for their situation.
What is Skilled Home Health?
Skilled home health offers a wide range of health care services delivered in the convenience and privacy of the home by specially trained health care professionals. It is a more effective and efficient form of health care for people who have a chronic medical condition, disability, or are recovering from illness or injury.
Skilled home health is a good option for patients who wish to remain in the home but need extra medical help to do so safely and effectively. It can sometimes prevent or postpone the need for residential facility care or hospitalization, which leads to improved quality of life for the patient. Medicare covers skilled home health, which is ordered by a doctor, under Medicare Part A or Part B at no cost to the patient and family.
What is Complex Care Management?
The goal of Complex Care Management is to reduce hospitalizations and emergency room visits by bridging gaps in care and connecting patients to the appropriate level of in-home care. It is designed for patients with serious medical needs and is aimed at improving communication and care coordination with the patients other care teams to help avoid unnecessary hospital readmissions.
Care provided through Charter Healthcares Complex Care Management model can include nursing visits, connecting patients with specialists, addressing social determinants of health, providing medication reconciliation and medication changes and providing 24/7 access to care through an in-house triage team. A provider may recommend Complex Care Management for patients who need extra assistance during transitions in care from a hospital, long-term care, rehabilitation or skilled nursing facility to the home.
Whats the difference?
Skilled home health can be part of a patients care plan under Complex Care Management, but often it is one piece of a larger plan of care. When a patient is enrolled in a Complex Care Management program, typically they have already received care at a hospital or inpatient facility. They may be unable to stay in those facilities long-term or may prefer to receive care at home but need enhanced medical supervision to do so safely. Skilled home health is often elected by patients to prevent or postpone hospitalization or residential care.
Other Articles You May Like
Senior Safety at Home: Creating a Secure Living Environment
Ensuring the safety of seniors at home is paramount for their well-being and independence. Creating a secure living environment involves a comprehensive approach that addresses various aspects of their daily life. Begin by conducting a thorough assessment of the home, identifying potential hazards such as loose rugs, uneven flooring, or cluttered pathways. Installing handrails in key areas, such as staircases and bathrooms, can provide valuable support and prevent accidents. Adequate lighting throughout the house is crucial; consider motion-activated lights to illuminate pathways and rooms, reducing the risk of falls. Additionally, make necessary modifications in the kitchen, such as lowering countertop heights for easier access and installing nonslip flooring to enhance traction. Regular communication with seniors about their comfort and safety concerns is essential, fostering a collaborative effort in maintaining a secure home environment.Incorporating technology into the home can also significantly contribute to senior safety. Smart home devices, such as medical alert systems or sensors that detect unusual movements, can provide an added layer of security. Consider implementing a video monitoring system to keep an eye on key areas of the home, providing both caregivers and seniors with peace of mind. By addressing these physical and technological aspects, we can create an environment that not only promotes the independence of seniors but also assures their safety, allowing them to age in place with confidence and dignity.
The Importance of Regular Health Check-ups for Seniors
In the journey through the golden years, regular health check-ups emerge as a cornerstone of proactive senior care, offering a vital means of maintaining overall well-being. As our bodies naturally undergo changes with age, routine health examinations become essential for early detection and prevention of potential health issues. Regular check-ups enable healthcare professionals to monitor key indicators such as blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and glucose levels, providing invaluable insights into an individual's cardiovascular and metabolic health. Detecting and addressing these factors early on can significantly reduce the risk of chronic conditions, ensuring seniors can lead healthier and more active lives.Moreover, regular health check-ups serve as a proactive approach to holistic senior care, encompassing not only physical but also mental well-being. Cognitive health assessments, screenings for conditions like osteoporosis, and discussions about mental health concerns are integral components of these check-ups. By fostering open communication between seniors and healthcare providers, these examinations create opportunities for personalized care plans and the management of age-related health challenges. In essence, the importance of regular health check-ups for seniors extends beyond the diagnosis of illnesses; it embodies a commitment to preventive care, early intervention, and the promotion of a higher quality of life in the later years.
Home Care vs. Home Health Care: Whats the Difference?
The decision to seek senior care services for a loved one can feel overwhelming. With so many options to choose from, you want to make sure you choose only the best for the person you love. This is especially true if youre worried about honoring your loved ones wishes to keep living at homewhich is important to nearly 90% of adults. If you want to make aging in place a reality, youve likely come across two similar senior care options: home care and home health care.Home Care vs. Home Health Care: A Comparison GuideWhile these terms may sound alike, they actually refer to two different services. To help you get a better idea of what these services are and which is best for your family, ComForCare has created this helpful guide.What is Home Health Care?Home health care is a service that provides medical care in a persons home or place of residence. A doctor may prescribe home health care for a person who is recovering from surgery or illness as an alternative to staying at a skilled nursing facility.In these situations, a medically licensed caregiver will arrive at your home, usually for a few hours per week, to help care for your loved one. They can perform necessary medical services during these times, such as:Medication administrationWound care, shots, and IV administrationSpeech, occupational, or physical therapyWhat is Home Care?Home care aides offer personal care services to support seniors who dont have serious medical concerns. These services are flexible, meaning they can provide as much or as little care as a person needs and on a schedule that works best for them. Typically, home care is not prescribed by a doctor but is instead used as a way to help seniors age in place safely.Home caregivers can offer numerous support services, including:Personal care, including bathing, dressing, toileting, and groomingLight housekeeping & choresTransportation to doctor appointments, shopping, and moreMeal planning & preparationCompanionshipThe Benefits of Home CareHome care offers numerous, deeply meaningful benefits for older adults who require assistance with some aspects of daily life, but do not require skilled nursing care. Can Supplement Home HealthcareSome families choose to supplement a home health program with home care to cover gaps in services. Because home health aides typically only visit for a few hours each week, seniors and their families often need extra support when those aides cant be there. ComForCare is ready to be part of your loved ones care team, stepping up to fill important roles whenever we are needed.Great for Seniors Who Need Support to Stay IndependentPlenty of older adults need some assistance around the house but dont require specialized medical or rehabilitative services. With ComForCare, your loved one can remain in familiar, comfortable surroundings safely. Our caregivers support seniors in numerous ways, from preparing nutritious meals to helping out with laundry to preventing fall risks. No matter what services you or your loved one needs, ComForCare can provide them with respect for independence and dignity.Flexible Care Whenever & However You Need ItSome families only need a short break from their own caregiving duties. Others hire caregiving services for their loved ones 24 hours a day. At ComForCare, each family receives a personalized plan designed to meet their needs, schedule, and personal preferences.Home health services are typically only offered for a set period of time. Once a person no longer meets strict eligibility requirements from their doctor or insurance provider, this kind of care comes to an end. Home care, on the other hand, can continue for as long as you need and want it to.We offer a range of in-home services to suit many levels of assistance, including:Remote patient monitoring (varies by location)Respite and short-term carePersonal in-home careIn-home care for Alzheimers Disease & other forms of dementiaDevelop a True Relationship with Your CaregiverHome care can be particularly important for older adults who are at risk of isolation or loneliness. The 2019 National Poll on Healthy Aging found that 1 in 3 seniors feel lonely, which has an impact on both their mental and physical well-being. Elder care can be an effective solution.At ComForCare, we are committed to making a meaningful difference in seniors lives. Part of the way we achieve this goal is our unique, patient-centered approach to caregiver matching. We match each of our clients with a caregiver that most closely aligns with their lifestyle, personality, and needs. When you choose ComForCare, youll never be just another name on a listyoull develop a real relationship with your caregiver.Support for Chronic Conditions, Including Memory Care for DementiaWhile home health care often provides medical monitoring, usually they monitor for very specific complications that may arise after a hospital stay or serious illness. But other aspects of wellness can also benefit from having a home care aides ongoing perspective. ComForCares caregivers are trained to watch for signs of progression in chronic conditions and illnesses, from heart disease to Alzheimers disease and other forms of dementia. Through our premier DementiaWise training program, our employees learn how best to help seniors and their families cope with dementia, navigate its challenges, and optimize the time that families can spend together as the disease progresses.Finding Home Care ServicesIf youre not sure what level of care your loved one needs, reach out to your local ComForCare. Our highly trained and compassionate teams can help you assess your needs and recommend a solution that fits your familys budget and lifestyle. With a wealth of resources and team members who are passionate about helping seniors in their communities, ComForCare is your partner in living your best life.Choose ComForCare: Compassionate Senior Care in the Comfort of Home. Call us today with any questions, 720-575-5576.