Home Health Care 101: Frequently Asked Questions
Often called Meals-on-Wheels, many communities offer this service to patients at home who are unable to cook for themselves. Depending on the person's needs, hot meals can be delivered several times a week. A variety of questions are asked of the facility and of patients. A speech therapist can help a patient with impaired speech regain the ability to communicate clearly. A home health aide is a professional who provides assistance to patients with special needs, including those who are disabled, chronically ill, or cognitively impaired. They may also provide services for seniors who require assistance in the home. Although most states require home health care agencies to perform criminal background checks on their workers and carefully screen applicants, actual regulations will vary depending on where you live. Some home health care services offer personal home care assistance at an additional cost, which may or may not be covered by insurance or Medicare. As a locally-owned a...