Why choose home health care?

The need for and interest in home health care has grown for many reasons. Many treatments that could once be done only in a hospital can now be done at home. Also, home health care is usually less expensive and can often be just as effective as care in a hospital or skilled nursing facility. And most patients and their families prefer to receive medical care at home rather than in a hospital or nursing home.

 What is home health care?

Click here for a detailed description from MayoClinic.com.

Do I have a choice in which home health care agency I use?

Yes! You have the right to choose any home health agency to give you the care and services you need. Your choice will be honored by your doctor, hospital discharge planner, or other referring agency. Even though some hospitals and nursing homes have their own home health care agency, you are not required to use that agency. You may choose any agency that you feel will meet your needs.

Many times, hospital discharge planners will recommend a home health care agency for patients who need ongoing medical care. You aren’t required to use that agency, and the hospital must honor your choice.

What should I look for in choosing a home health care agency?

Click here for a detailed explanation from MayoClinic.com.

What kind of care do I need?

With Good Neighbor, your Registered Nurse will visit with you and/or your family to assess your needs and requests, and to determine the care you need. With input from your doctor, your nurse will then develop a detailed plan for your caregivers to follow. Your participation in this process is encouraged.

How many hours of care will I need?

Good Neighbor has patients who only need a few hours of home health care per month while others need care 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Others fall somewhere in between. We evaluate your situation and then individualized your care based on your needs, which may increase or decrease as time goes by.

Is home health care only for the elderly?

 No. Good Neighbor provides home health care services to people of all ages, from infant to elderly and those with a variety of needs.

 • Younger disabled adults or those recuperating from acute illness are choosing home health care whenever possible.

• Chronically ill infants and children are receiving sophisticated medical treatment in their loving and secure home environments.

• Adults and children diagnosed with terminal illnesses are also receiving care at home, where they can maintain dignity at the end of life.

• An increasing number elderly individuals are electing to live independent, non-institutionalized lives by receiving both medical and non-medical home health care services as their physical capabilities diminish.

Good Neighbor Home Health Care provides services without regard to race, sex, age, religion, medical condition, physical or mental challenge, marital status, sexual orientation, public assistance status or national origin.

Who will take care of me?

For general nursing care, Good Neighbor assigns a Registered Nurse and/or a Licensed Practical Nurse with a broad range of experience in skilled care. If you require more technical care, a nurse with the required experience and specialized skills will be assigned.

In addition to nursing care, other services are available depending on your needs, doctor's orders and eligibility. These services are supervised by a Registered Nurse and include:

• Personal care
• Homemaking
• Rehabilitation (physical or occupational therapy)
• Respite care

Our Home Health Aides provide individualized personal care such as bathing, dressing, assistance with walking and other support services. Our Homemakers (and Respite Care Aides) provide companionship and support services , including light housekeeping, laundry, errands and shopping, and nutritious meal preparation.

For rehabilitation, therapy is offered by certified Physical Therapists, who assist in restoring strength and mobility, and Occupational Therapists, who assist in regaining independence in personal care and daily activities.

 What does the term "aging in place" mean?

This refers to a person’s ability to grow old in their own home or a family member's home. It is the opposite of institutional care like a nursing home. Sometimes, it may mean the ability to stay in an assisted living facility.

Do you provide services in assisted living facilities?

Yes. People often discover that the services offered by an assisted living facility is not enough to enable them to remain independent. In those cases, Good Neighbor can provide services even if we are not the assisted living provider.
Note that Good Neighbor is an assisted living provider in several apartment buildings in the Brainerd Lakes area. For locations and details, please contact our office.

How quickly can services be provided?

Generally, Good Neighbor can begin providing services within 48 hours.

Can I change my schedule if I have appointments?

Yes. Changes are easily made with as little as a phone call to one of our staffing coordinators. Our philosophy is to make the schedule work for you and your family. We attempt to meet your needs, your requests, and your schedule. We will do everything possible to make sure the schedule you want is the schedule you get. The earlier you notify us of a change in your schedule, the better we can accommodate your needs.

How is my caregiver chosen?

Selecting the right person for you is our main concern. Your home health care needs are matched with the skills, qualities and expertise of our caregivers. All caregivers have been oriented to our standards and your needs before their first assignment. Good Neighbor Home Health Care recruits, screens, tests and trains our employees to provide you with the best care possible.

Who pays for my home health care?

Good Neighbor Home Health Care can help you get the maximum level of coverage to which you are entitled. We bill the relevant payer source directly, so you have even less to worry about. Good Neighbor coordinates and accepts reimbursement from a variety of sources:

• Medicare
• Medical Assistance
• Health Insurance, such as Blue Plus or Medica
• Auto insurance
• Long-term health care insurance
• Workers compensation
• Veteran's administration
• County-waivered programs
• Private pay

In some cases, home health care services may not be covered by a patient's Medicare, Medical Assistance or private insurance, especially if benefits have been exhausted or insurance will not pay for the services. Whatever the reason, many families choose to pay for private care out of pocket. By paying for your own private care, you enjoy greater flexibility in the type and amount of services you wish to order. Moreover, you can avoid the restrictions and limits of programs provided by the government and private insurers.

What home health services does Medicare cover?

Services offered under the Medicare program include the following:

• Skilled nursing care
• Home health aide services
• Physical therapy services
• Occupational therapy services

You will be notified in writing of the services and supplies covered by Medicare or other payers at the start of care and when the type of services, supplies or payer changes.

Who is eligible to get Medicare-covered home health care?

If you are eligible for Medicare services, you must meet all the following conditions throughout the course of your care under the Medicare program:

• You must be homebound, or normally unable to leave home unassisted. To be homebound means that leaving home takes considerable and taxing effort. A person may leave home for medical treatment or short, infrequent appointments for non-medical reasons, such as a trip to the barber or to attend religious services.

• Your services must be medically reasonable and necessary.

• Your services must be ordered by your physician.

• Your services must be intermittent (part-time) skilled services (skilled nursing, physical therapy, speech therapy or occupational therapy) at the start of care.

 

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