Visiting Nurse Service (Skilled Home Health Care)

• Overview

There are two kinds of home care services.

In the most frequently used type of home care, the patient needs to have a nurse or therapist come to the home and provide care. The patient may need care such as dressing changes, instructions on new medications, assessment of a medical condition or therapeutic exercises.

The nurse or therapist may come several times a week to assess and instruct the patient in his or her care. Because of the special needs of the patient, this is often called SKILLED home care.

Another kind of home care is often referred to as PRIVATE DUTY or PERSONAL CARE. In this type of homecare, the person often needs help with things like bathing, dressing or meal preparation. Usually, a home health aide can provide the care the patient needs.