When most people think of home health services, they think of a nurse coming to give an elderly woman her pills or a shot. Maybe they think of a home health aide coming to help an octogenarian take a shower. Whatever most people think of, they think of an old person receiving relatively minor care at home.
But home health care is not just for relatively-healthy old people living at home. Home health plays an important role in caring for people of any age and with virtually any level of healthcare need.
For example: Did you know that many home health patients receive IV medicines in their homes. Some cancer patients even receive chemotherapy from a nurse at home. Meanwhile, other home health care recipients aren’t even getting medical care at all – they just need someone to help with housework or accompany them to doctor appointments.
Some home health patients are young people receiving physical therapy after sports injuries. Others are healthy newborn babies and their mothers getting a simple health assessment a couple days after being discharged from the hospital (along with some valuable education for the new mother).
So when you think about home health, remember that it’s not just for old people. And it’s not just for people with a narrow set of health issues either. It can benefit almost everyone.
If you are ever recovering from surgery, or if you ever need an IV medication, or if you ever tear a muscle and can’t get your housework done, think seriously about enlisting the help of a home health professional. You’ll be glad you did.