Wound Care at Home
Effective wounds care begins with understanding the whole person and not just their current wound. Doctors and the health care team must understand underlying medical conditions, diet, age, medications, mobility, family involvement and other factors to create a plan for healing and wellbeing.
Caring for wounds and skin conditions can be complex. There is much more involved than simply changing bandages. Home health nurses and therapist will be very precise—using specific dressings, medications and steps outlined in your wound care plan.
Goals of Care
Home health care services offer smooth transitions from in-patient or emergency care to professional wound care at home. Goals for at-home wound care include:
- Patient comfort and overall health
- Preventing infection
- Improving healing time
- Preventing wound-related hospitalizations
- Education to prevent new wounds
In many ways, the home health team and family members are the doctor’s eyes when a patient is at home. Timely communication is good preventive care. Family members can see and report changes. They provide early warnings for pressure injuries, watch for infections and ensure their loved ones are eating right.
Family caregivers are also expected to follow care plans. The home health team guides family members through each step of the process and are available 24/7 for consultations.
Older Adults need Extra Care
Surgical wounds, cuts and breaks have a much greater risk of complications in older adults. Diligent care for wounds can prevent serious and life-altering complications.
The home health team provides expert care and education for people and family caregivers. They will help you prevent infections, pressure sores or falls that lead to injury. Education includes how to manage chronic or underlying health conditions to give people better opportunities to heal.
Conditions needing wound management include:
- Surgical wounds
- Diabetic foot ulcers
- Pressure ulcers or pressure injuries
- Venous stasis ulcers
- Burns
- Complicated skin tear
- Neuropathic foot ulcer
- Soft tissue radiation injury
- Amputations
What to expect from a visit by a home health nurse
- Ensuring people are properly caring for a wound and taking their prescriptions
- Asking about pain and any other concerns
- Encouraging a diet to promote healing
- Checking on your safety
- Teaching patients and their families about overall wellness
- Coordinating care to stay ahead of potential problems
Most home health care services are covered by insurance
When prescribed by a doctor, skilled home health visits are typically covered by Medicare, veterans benefits and some private insurance policies. Medicare also pays up to 20 percent of the cost of durable home medical equipment prescribed in a care plan. Medicare does not pay for 24-hour in-home care.
Our goal is to build trusting relationships with families. We can help you learn about insurance benefits, services and referrals. When we work together, people have their best opportunity to thrive and maintain independence.