Home health aides provide additional help such as bathing, walking, dressing, and administering oral medications. Sometimes, all that's needed to avoid a nursing home is help with bathing and dressing. Social workers help geriatric patients and their families find the services and agencies they need. They also help patients and their families cope with the stresses of illness and disability. Physical therapists provide home patients with exercise and other therapies they need to relieve pain and restore muscle strength.
Occupational therapists pinpoint home devices such as grab bars that enable more independence.
They also teach techniques that aid in daily living activities, such as how to dress with the use of just one hand. Physicians authorize the home health-care plan. They periodically review the effectiveness of home-care services and recommend any necessary changes. Some home health-care services are covered under Medicare or private insurance policies. Your local Social Security office can tell you what services are covered by Medicare.