Home Care: The Facts
Home is Best
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Home Care is the preferred alternative to hospital or nursing home care for thousands of Illinoisans with chronic illnesses, injuries or those who simply need to recover from surgery.
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Advances in medical technology allow health professionals to provide the highest level of care in a nurturing home environment.
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There are more than 845 licensed home health providers in Illinois.
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Home Care helps keep families together.
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Home Care allows older citizens to remain independent and postpones, or eliminates, the need for institutionalization.
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Home Care promotes healing and prevents infection.
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Home Care provides a more positive environment for patients.
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Home Care improves quality of life and has been proven to extend life.
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Home Care is the cost-effective health care solution.
Home Care Services
There are six core services offered by most state-licensed and Medicare-certified home health agencies:
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Nurses provide nursing care, treatments and develop a plan of care with the client's physician, including the client and family in the plan.
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Home Health Aides work under the supervision of the registered nurse to assist with daily routines such as bathing, medication reminders and other tasks.
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Physical Therapists work with patients to improve gait and mobility, relieve joint and muscle pain and to help restore muscle function through exercises, instruction and other therapeutic treatments.
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Occupational Therapists help patients return to the routine of daily living, providing instruction in self care, the use of adaptive equipment and living with disabilities.
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Speech Therapists help with speech and swallowing problems caused by stroke or other circumstances.
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Medical Social Workers help patients and their families identify community services and provide counseling and case management services.
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Some agencies may also provide non-medical and housekeeping assistance, nutritional counseling, medical supplies and equipment, respiratory therapy and intravenous therapy.
Payment Options
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Home health services are frequently covered by third-party payers such as the government (Medicare, Medicaid and the Veterans Administration, for example), private insurance, long-term care insurance and HMOs.
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Some not-for-profit agencies provide services to clients with limited financial resources. Home health agencies are well-versed on payment options and can assist clients in planning for their care.