What to Expect After Being Approved for Home Healthcare?

Photo by Zach Vessels on Unsplash   What to Expect After Being Approved for Home Healthcare? After the approval of home health care services, a regular regimen begins. Professionals and patients or caregivers arrange appointments, with most scheduled around the same time every week. Some patients will need more than one day a week; others may only need appointments twice a month. The consistency of appointments depends on the individual case. A common question is, “what will happen at an appointment?” As a patient or family member, it’s important for you to know what will happen when Vancouver Home Health Care professionals enter the home. There are procedures that are specific to some cases, but a general overview of our most common visits is listed below. The First Visit The first home visit will be slightly different than the ongoing visits. The initial visit may take up to two hours, as there are more steps involved. Expect the nurse or therapist to go over the following: Discharge paperwork and orders from doctors or specialists Your role (patient or caregiver) Payment responsibilities Your specific care plan, including which professionals will visit, and type of care provided by each Your personal healthcare goals Your medications and a medication schedule Your specific fall risk Information for contacting the agency with concerns After this initial visit, the routine becomes easier. This is your time to ask questions and make sure you fully understand what will happen. Make home health care a partnership with yourself and the professionals around you to reap the most benefits. Regular Visits Average visits last around an hour, and include: Vitals check (blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, and oxygen intake) Medicine check. The professional will go over side effects, make sure you are on schedule, and ask how they are working for you. Wound or IV care Creating and adhering to an exercise plan Symptom control Check in with patient and/or caregivers for additional services or care plan changes The professional will work with the patient and/or caregiver to determine the best time for appointments. If an appointment must be changed or cancelled, refer to our cancellation policy and let us know as soon as possible. Your care is our priority, and your help in scheduling appointments around your life helps us take better care of you! It’s important to remember that you are allowed to, and should, ask questions or raise concerns at any point during any home healthcare visit. If there are issues the professional cannot address, call  Vancouver Home Healthcare Agency main office with your concerns. Someone is always available to help, and as a team, we aim to meet as many of your needs as possible. At Vancouver Home Healthcare Agency, Caring and Compassion is our Business…