Home health services allow seniors to age in place instead of moving into a long-term care facility.
Carolyn Braggs, nursing supervisor at Supreme Home Health Services, said that home health care is different than homemaker services.
“Home health differs from homemaker services in that home health is a skill care service,” Braggs said.
Braggs explained that home health services consist of skill nursing, physical and occupational therapy, medical-social worker and home health aide services.
Home health workers do not perform basic housekeeping tasks, according to Braggs.
“That would be mainly for the home health aide that’s assigned to the patient,” said Braggs.
Braggs explained that the home health worker would assist the patient in grooming exercises such as bathing, showering, dressing and keeping the patients sick area, or bedroom, clean.
A home health worker can prepare food if time is permitted during their visit, according to Braggs.
“If time permits during their visit, they can do some light housekeeping like preparing a small meal or a snack for them while they’re there,” said Braggs. “That’s only if time permits.”
Supreme Home Health does work with patients who suffer with dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Braggs explained that a family member or caregiver must be present and part of the patients care process so they can learn the instructions on how to take care of the patient when a home health worker is not around.
Services provided by Supreme Home Health are covered by Medicare, Medicaid and private insurances, according to Braggs.
