Your loved one’s changing needs can mean they need more help than they can get in a home environment. While home health can help for a while, it is limited. As needs change, it may not be enough.
A skilled nursing center like The Healthcare Center at Buck Creek can provide 24-hour supervision and compassionate support.
Key Takeaways
- Home health provides part-time or intermittent care at home.
- Skilled nursing may be a better option if your loved one has a high fall risk or extensive needs beyond what home health covers.
- Our compassionate clinical team can provide advanced care 24/7.
Table of Contents
Frequent Falls or Close Calls Are Happening Between Visits<
Chronic Conditions Are Getting Harder to Manage at Home
Family Caregivers Are Filling Gaps Home Health Doesn’t Cover
Care Needs Have Outgrown What Medicare Home Health Covers
Recovery After a Hospital Stay Requires More Intensive Rehab
We’re Here to Help When Home Health Is No Longer Enough
1. Frequent Falls or Close Calls Are Happening Between Visits
Falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths among adults 65 and older. If your loved one has experienced frequent falls at home, home may no longer be safe. It only takes one fall to experience a permanent injury and lose independence.
If the reason for the falls is reversible, Short-Term Rehab could address the causes so your loved one can live at home safely. A long-term skilled nursing center can provide 24-hour safety if the cause is permanent. At Buck Creek, we’ll develop a personalized care plan with 24-hour monitoring. We treat every resident with love and make every day feel like home.
2. Chronic Conditions Are Getting Harder to Manage at Home
Health conditions like COPD, diabetes, and heart failure often seem manageable at first, but they require more care as they progress. Home health can work well if your loved one just needs an occasional breathing treatment or blood sugar check.
However, when your loved one is experiencing respiratory distress in the middle of the night or dangerous blood sugar lows, you won’t be able to count on home health to be there when it matters most.
At Buck Creek, we monitor blood sugar around the clock and develop personalized care plans that may include enhanced nutrition or advanced respiratory support. Your loved one can achieve their highest quality of life, and you can experience peace of mind.
3. Family Caregivers Are Filling Gaps Home Health Doesn’t Cover
Home health often only covers specific needs, leaving family members responsible for housekeeping, meal preparation, grocery shopping, and overnight care. If your loved one needs help getting up to use the restroom during the night or getting up first thing in the morning, home health will not be there.
Caregiver burnout can affect your health and your ability to continue offering the help your loved one needs. Choosing skilled nursing care over home health is often the most loving choice. It puts your loved one in a position to receive the support they need 24/7. Meanwhile, it allows you to just be the son, daughter, or spouse again.
4. Care Needs Have Outgrown What Medicare Home Health Covers
When you find yourself worrying and counting the hours between visits, home health may not be enough. The agency may have told you that Medicare won’t cover more hours, even though you can plainly see your loved one needs more.
Medicare home health provides part-time or intermittent skilled nursing care and therapy. The limit is eight hours per day up to 28 hours per week, with up to 35 hours available for short periods if your loved one’s provider says it is necessary.
Skilled nursing care provides 24/7 support, whether your loved one needs it for short-term recovery or for the long term.
5. Recovery After a Hospital Stay Requires More Intensive Rehab
Home health may work well after a hospital stay if all your loved one needs is someone to change dressings or a few therapy visits per week. However, if they need more comprehensive help, Short-Term Rehab in a skilled nursing center may be a more effective approach.
At Buck Creek, we offer physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy seven days a week. Our rehab programs can help with traumatic brain injuries and spinal injuries. These therapies take daily work to help your loved one reach their maximum recovery potential and get back to doing what they love.
We’re Here to Help When Home Health Is No Longer Enough
Keeping your loved one at home for as long as possible is an act of love. Choosing skilled nursing isn’t giving up. It is another act of love when home health and your own loving efforts can no longer meet their needs. We’re here to help you make that transition.
We offer seven-day rehab services and advanced clinical support. Most importantly, we offer a loving home where your loved one will feel safe, comfortable, and cared for. Schedule a tour today to learn more.