What is Home Care?

Home care is a clinical support service that provides nursing care, rehabilitation and social work support to manage health conditions in the comfort of a patient’s home. Home care typically falls into two categories: Short-Term Care and Long-Term Care. Each type encompasses various services that can be customized based on your unique situation and care requirements.

Short-Term Home Care

Commonly called “Home Care,” short-term care is designed to help you recover from surgery,  illness, or a hospital stay. It is provided by a team of clinical professionals for anywhere from a few days to a few months.  The goal is to provide skilled medical services and personalized support to help aid in recovery as well as provide the education and support needed for patients and their caregivers.

Services under short-term home care could include:

• Skilled Nursing Care: Provides expert medical support, such as monitoring vital signs, medication management, wound care, and support for chronic conditions, helping to ensure you receive high-quality care and peace of mind at home.
• Therapies: Physical, occupational, and speech therapies are integral to short-term rehabilitation, focusing on improving mobility, strength, and communication skills.
• Chronic Condition Education: Guidance on managing specific diseases such as diabetes, COPD, or CHF to help you transition smoothly back to daily life.

Short-term care provides focused medical and rehabilitative services to help you recover quickly and regain independence after an illness, injury, or surgery.

Long-Term Care

Long-term care focuses on providing ongoing support if you require continuous assistance due to chronic illnesses, disabilities, or age-related challenges. The goal is to maintain your quality of life and independence for as long as possible. Long-term care is often provided through a Managed Long-Term Care (MLTC) Plan, which coordinates and delivers the services needed to stay safely home.

Services under long-term care could include:

• Personal Care Assistance: Help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, grooming, and meal preparation.
• Homemaker Services: Assistance with laundry, grocery shopping, and maintaining a safe home environment.
• Disease Management: Long-term support for managing chronic conditions with a focus on stability and quality of life.
• Emotional and Social Support: Companionship, transportation, and connection to community resources.

Long-term care combines medical, personal, and social services to meet more specific needs and ensure you can remain safely and comfortably at home.

Which Type of Home Care Is Right for Me?

Choosing the right type of home care depends on your specific health needs, recovery goals, and personal circumstances. Whether you require short-term support to recover after surgery or ongoing long-term care for a chronic condition, the decision should be guided by your unique situation.

Your doctor is your most trusted source for making this decision. They can assess your health status, discuss your care needs, and recommend the appropriate type of home care that best supports your recovery and quality of life.

Is Home Care Covered by Insurance?

Short-term home care, provided by a Certified Home Health Agency (CHHA) like MJHS Home Care, is usually covered in full, or in part, by Medicare, Medicaid, managed care providers (including HMOs), or private insurance.

Long-term care typically requires Medicaid eligibility and enrollment in a Managed Long-Term Care (MLTC) plan, such as HomeFirst, to cover the ongoing support and services needed to remain safely at home. Some providers also offer private pay.

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MJHS Home Care: We Are Here to Support Your Recovery

Our team of dedicated experts is here to guide you every step of the way, offering personalized home care that prioritizes your comfort, independence, and unique needs. Whether you are recovering from an illness, managing a chronic condition, or transitioning from the hospital, MJHS Home Care is ready to provide the specialized care and support you need to help you thrive at home. Contact us today to learn how we can help you or your loved one on the path to better health and well-being.