November is National Homecare Month. What better way to celebrate it than to provide information about home care services thru Pemi-Baker Community Health, and what it can offer for a loved one? As we age, we still want our independence. Many older Americans are choosing to stay in their homes longer and “age in place.” This trend allows people to remain in their family home surrounded by familiar furnishings that make them feel comfortable and safe. But as we get older, 
certain activities that once seemed simple can become more difficult to manage.
So when do we need skilled home health care?
Skilled home health is care given to patients at home by medically trained and licensed professionals. It is an alternative to receiving care in a nursing home or hospital to regain health and independence.
What sort of people are served by home health?
Skilled home health care clients can be recovering patients who are ill with a chronic condition like heart failure or an acute health condition like surgery for a hip replacement, or who have sustained an injury. Home health care permits earlier discharge from a hospital, reduces hospital admissions and assists with rapid recovery. It’s less expensive, more accessible, and as effective as care from a hospital or skilled nursing facility.
Skilled home health care can be for rehabilitation following a stay in the hospital or nursing home. Patients may also be referred to Pemi-Baker Community Health by their own PCP’s for help managing a health condition. For example, your Mom might need skilled nursing after being hospitalized with a bout of pneumonia or Dad may need occupatio
nal and physical therapy when he gets home following knee surgery. The nurse can help your Mom learn to manage her medications safely and help her learn ways to manage her overall health more effectively. Occupational and physical therapy will provide training on the best exercises Dad can do to strengthen his knee so he can get back to doing the things he enjoys.
Long-term home health palliative or hospice services can be provided when your parent or loved one is suffering with a terminal illness. Our nurses and therapists work together with your doctors to provide coordinated, effective care.
How does a patient access skilled home health thru Pemi-Baker Community Health?
A referral from a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician’s assistant is necessary. If your loved one is being sent home from the hospital or nursing home, their staff physicians will typically write the referral. Your own PCP can also provide a referral. Just let them know you would like to use Pemi-Baker Community Health, we service 22 towns in Central New Hampshire.
Who pays for skilled home health care?
Payment options for home health typically include a wide variety of insurances including Medicare, many Medicare Replacement plans, along with a whole host of private insurances.
Pemi-Baker Community Health has been in the business of ‘skilled’ home health care for over 50 years. We understand how hard it can be to get ready, travel to a certain facility to receive care and then travel back home again every time you have to go to an appointment. Home health care addresses this dilemma and Pemi-Baker Community Health can help you. There are many benefits of getting care at home and one of them is getting competent, one-on-one skilled care right where you live. Apart from this, you also save your time, energy and extra money because home health care is relatively cheaper than being institutionalized in a care facility.
Our team of responsible and reliable professionals will make sure that you or your loved ones receive the appropriate care at home. We offer skilled nursing, home health aides, physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical social services and speech therapy. We are experts in our field and we have the necessary experience to make sure you are cared for correctly. You are in safe and caring hands with Pemi-Baker Community Health.
“The people working at Pemi-Baker are terrific. I would highly recommend them for any home health care needs for yourself, family and friends. They take the time to meet your needs in a kind and sensitive way.” ~Deb
“I have had home-care after a hip replacement as well as physical therapy to recover and PT for other problems. Everyone is friendly, concerned, efficient, professional and cheerful. This organization is superior to others I have had over the years.” ~Sheila
“Fantastic people! Real people you can trust and feel comfortable with. I can’t thank you enough for all the help you have given us while my husband is going thru cancer. Thank you so much!” ~Maxy
~Written by Anna Swanson
