|
Term |
Definition |
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Skilled Nursing Care |
A level of care that must be given or supervised by Registered Nurses on an intermittent basis. Examples of skilled nursing care are: administration of intravenous medication, injections, tube feeding, oxygen to help you breathe, and changing sterile dressings on a wound. |
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Home Health Aide Services |
Services to help you with daily living activities (such as getting up, bathing, getting dressed, and making a meal). If you receive skilled home health services (from a nurse, physical therapist, or occupational therapist) and also require services that can be performed by an aide, those services are covered by Medicare and are to be provided by the home health agency at no charge to you. |
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Physical Therapy |
Treatment of injury and disease by mechanical means, as heat, light, exercise, and massage. |
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Occupational Therapy |
Services given to help you return to usual activities (such as bathing, preparing meals, housekeeping) after illness either on an inpatient or outpatient basis. |
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Medical Social Services |
Services to help you with social and emotional concerns related to your illness. This might include counseling or help in finding resources in your community. |
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Speech Language Pathology |
This is the study of communication problems. Speech therapists assist with problems involving speech, language and swallowing. Communication problems can be present at birth or develop after an injury or illness - such as a stroke. |
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Plan of Care |
A written plan of care created with your physician and home health agency staff. It tells what services you will get to reach and keep your best physical, mental, and social well being. The home health staff keeps your doctor up-to-date on how you are doing and updates your plan of care as needed. It is your physician, not the home health agency that authorizes what services you need and for how long they will be provided. |
