Our Maine Street's Aroostook Issue 8 : Spring 2011 | Page 60

There’s No Place Like Home
by Professional Home Nursing

As a home health agency we frequently get the call,
“We need home care services for a family member and we
don’t know where to turn.” A very legitimate question as
programs, funding sources and availability in our community may be constantly changing. Basically, we review what
home care is, what types of services the different programs
deliver, who pays for it, and how to arrange for it.

Services for the treatment of medical conditions usually are
prescribed by an individual’s physician. Supportive services, however, do not require a physician’s orders. An individual may receive a single type of care or a combination of
services, depending on the complexity of his or her needs.
Home care services can be provided by the following professionals, paraprofessionals and volunteers:

Registered Nurses (RNs) provide skilled services that cannot be performed safely and effectively by nonprofessional

“Home care” is a simple phrase that encompasses personnel. Some of these services include injections and
a wide range of health and social services. These services intravenous (IV) therapy, wound care, education on disease
are delivered at home to recovering, disabled, chronically or treatment and prevention and patient assessments. RNs
terminally ill persons in need of medical, nursing, social, or may also provide case management and must be licensed to
therapeutic treatment, and/or assistance with the essential practice in the state of Maine.
activities of daily living.

Generally home care is appropriate whenever a per- Physical Therapists (PTs) work to restore the mobility and
son prefers to stay at home but needs ongoing care that strength of patients who are limited or disabled by physicannot easily or effectively be provided solely by family cal injuries through the use of exercise, massage, and other
and friends. Older adults are electing to live independent, methods. PTs often alleviate pain and restore injured musnon-institutionalized lives whenever possible, and younger cles with specialized equipment. They also teach patients
adults who are disabled or recuperating from acute illness and caregivers special techniques for walking and transfer.
are choosing home care whenever possible. Chronically
ill infants and children are receiving sophisticated medical Occupational Therapists (OTs) help individuals who have
treatment in their loving and secure home environments physical, developmental, social or emotional problems that
right here in our community! As hospital stays decrease, prevent them from performing the general activities of daily
increasing number of patients need highly skilled services living (ADLs). OTs instruct patients on using specialized
when they return home. Other patients are able to avoid rehabilitation techniques and equipment to improve their
institutionalization altogether, receiving safe and effective function in tasks such as eating, bathing, dressing, and basic
care in the comfort of their homes.
household routines.
What is home care?

Speech Language Pathologists work to develop and restore the speech of individuals with communication disor
Home care providers deliver a wide variety of health ders; usually these disorders are the result of traumas such
care and supportive services, ranging from professional as surgery or stroke. Speech therapists also help retrain panursing and home care aides to physical, occupational, re- tients in breathing, swallowing, and muscle control.
spiratory and speech therapies. Other services performed in
the home setting include that of a social worker, homemak- Social Workers evaluate the social and emotional factors afers and chore workers, companions and volunteers. Home fecting ill and disabled individuals and provide counseling.
care providers also deliver medical supplies and equipment. They also help patients and their family members identify
What types of services do home care providers deliver?

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SPRING 2011