How do you know if you or a loved one qualifies for home healthcare?

Learn about the benefits to home health through St. Joseph’s/Candler

Many health care treatments that were once only offered in a hospital or through a doctor’s office can now be done at your home. That’s thanks to the skilled team members of home healthcare.

St. Joseph’s/Candler Home Health takes a total-patient approach to treatment, meaning we develop specialized plans of care that are the most appropriate for each patient’s individual needs and level of functioning. The goal of these individual plans is to reduce recovery time, optimize independence and prevent unnecessary hospitalizations.

“We pride ourselves on the fact that we try to meet the patients where they are, and we try to make their care patient-specific,” explains Allyson Newberry, registered nurse administrator for the Hinesville Division of St. Joseph’s/Candler Home Health. “Whatever is going on with the patient and his or her family, we’re going to make sure that all of their needs are met while remaining in the comfort of their home and help them in any way we can.”

Currently, there are several hundred patients in 14 counties across southeast Georgia that receive St. Joseph’s/Candler Home Health services. Basic services covered by the program include skilled nursing (RNs, LPNs and CNAs), medically necessary aides, medical social workers and therapy (physical, occupational and speech). In some parts of the region, dietitians and wound care specialists also are available.

“We see patients that are post-operative or coming home with a PICC line or urinary catheter or a new diagnosis and need some education,” Newberry says. “We do a lot of wound care and a lot of our care is teaching. I consider us nurses also focused on education.”

“We see people at some of the worst times of their lives when they are struggling with things. It’s our goal to keep everyone at home for as long as we can.”

How do I know if I qualify for home health?

You will need a referral from a doctor to receive home health care. That can be your primary care doctor, a hospitalist, cardiologist or anyone your routinely see. If you have questions or want to see if you or a loved qualify for St. Joseph’s/Candler Home Health, call us at 1-800-942-5232 or visit our website.

You may also want to check with your insurance company. Different companies have different policies on what is covered and included when it comes to home health services.

To be eligible for SJ/C Home Health:

1. Your doctor needs to write an order stating that you need home health services.

2. You must have a need for one of the following skilled services:

• Nursing (to care for conditions such as wounds, catheter replacement and monitoring, dressing changes, post-operative care, new diagnosis education, etc.)
• Physical and/or occupational therapy
• Speech-language pathology
• Assistance with activities of daily living (bathing, getting dressed, brushing your teeth or hair, etc.)

3. You must be homebound, which means you can’t leave the house without assistance from someone or a device, such as a wheelchair, cane or family member. You can’t be a daily driver; however, if you are the only one to drive you to doctor’s appointments that’s not considered. Additionally, if you are bed-ridden, you must have a caregiver present.

4. Your medical need must be considered intermittent, meaning that you do not require full-time medical care that would be better served by a hospital or skilled nursing facility.

Why choose St. Joseph’s/Candler Home Health?

So now that you have an idea whether you or a loved one qualify for home health, you may be wondering what are the benefits of the service. Home healthcare is:

• Less expensive
• More convenient
• Can be just as effective as care you get in a hospital or skilled nursing facility
• Helps you get better in the comfort of your home
• Helps you regain your independence and become as self-sufficient as possible

If your doctor decides you need home healthcare, you may choose an agency from the participating Medicare certified home health agencies in your area. Home health agencies are certified to make sure they meet certain federal health and safety requirements.

St. Joseph’s/Candler Home Health Care is certified as a Medicare and Medicaid Home Health Provider. In addition, it is the only home health agency in the Savannah area to be accredited by The Joint Commission. The Joint Commission has been acknowledged as the leader in developing the highest standards for quality and safety in delivery of health care and evaluating organizational performance based on these standards.

Another benefit to SJ/C Home Health is it is not-for-profit and wholly owned by St. Joseph’s/Candler.

“Home health is a need, and I’m so glad we are able to be at a place to meet that need,” Newberry says. “I believe ‘Rooted in God’s love,’ we can do so much in all our communities. I think home health is just one example that St. Joseph’s/Candler cares about our communities, not just what we can provide at the hospitals, but helping patients live good quality lives at home.”

“That’s the whole point. We want to get you to at least your baseline. We want you to live with quality with your new diagnosis or as a wound heals. Even though it can be scary, and we understand there could be a lot of things you are facing, we want to be there to help.”

If you think home healthcare is right for you, talk to your doctor. The St. Joseph’s/Candler Home Health staff is available to answer any questions you have about what is covered. Give them a call today a 1-800-942-5232.