What is Home Care?

In the simplest terms, home care is care brought to your home to maintain or restore your health and well being.  Good Shepherd offers a vast array of services such as nursing, physical therapy, occupational and speech therapies, medical social work, in-home aides, and hospice.  A plan of care is directed by your personal physician. 

What are the advantages of home care?

As an alternative to institutional care, home care fosters a sense of independence and self-respect by affording patients the right to receive services in the comfort of their homes, with the reassurance and companionship of family and friends.  By caring for the individual at home, home care not only strengthens the family bond, but serves as a cost-effective method of care by avoiding unnecessary institutional care. 

Who is the typical home care patient?

Home care is often recommended to families by their physician, medical social worker or hospital discharge planner.  Home care is appropriate for persons recovering from illnesses, surgery, or accidents, and for those suffering from chronic long-term conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure.

Who pays for home care services?

Many of the services are paid by Medicare, Medicaid, private health insurers, and community funds.  Medicare continues to be the major payer of home health services.  Home care services are only reimbursable under Medicare if the patient is confined to home by an injury or illness needing skilled nursing care or therapy.  Medicare does not reimburse the cost of services furnished primarily to assist in meeting personal, family and domestic needs and does not provide for long-term care of chronic conditions.

What is CAP?

What is PCS?

In addition to providing quality services to home health and hospice patients in our area, Good Shepherd provides in-home aide services for the Community Alternatives Program (CAP) and for Personal Care Services (PCS).  These two services are available to assist the frail and elderly and allow them to remain healthier and happier in their own homes with dignity and independence intact.

   Home health and hospice patients receive in-home aide services on an intermittent basis. The aides provide assistance with personal care, which may include bathing, nail, hair and skin care, shaving, range of motion exercises, and light housekeeping. These services are funded by Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance and private pay.

   CAP and PCS in-home aides provide the same type of services, but may be in the home for a longer period of time.  Additional services are available in conjunction with the personal care of the patient such as meal preparation, help with laundry and grocery shopping, and additional housekeeping chores.  The aides may assist the patient for several hours each day, depending on need.  CAP and PCS programs are both funded by Medicaid, and some services are available through private pay. 

When is hospice appropriate for a patient?

A terminally ill patient and his/her physician decide when the patient is ready for hospice care.  The patient signs forms saying that he/she understands that hospice is palliative care (aimed at pain relief and symptom control) instead of curative care. 

What specific assistance does hospice provide for terminally ill patients?

Hospice patients are cared for by a team of doctors, nurses, social workers, counselors, in-home aides, clergy and volunteers - and each provides assistance in his or her area of expertise.

How difficult is caring for a dying loved one at home?

It is never easy, and sometimes quite hard.  At the end of a long, progressive illness, nights especially can be very long, lonely and scary.  Good Shepherd hospice has staff available around the clock to consult with the family and make night visits if the need arises.

How does hospice “manage pain”?

Hospice believes that emotional and spiritual pain are just as real and in need of attention as physical pain, so it addresses each.  Hospice nurses and doctors are up to date on the latest medications and devices for pain and symptom relief.  In addition, physical and occupational therapists assist patients to be as mobile and self-sufficient as possible.  Hospices have a tremendously high success rate in managing pain.  Using combinations of medications, counseling and therapies, most patients can be kept pain free and comfortable - as well as alert. 

Does hospice provide any help to the family after the patient dies?

Hospice provides continual contact and support for families and friends for at least a year following the death of a loved one.  Bereavement support is available to anyone in the community who has experienced the death of a family member or friend.