CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – As the number of residents in Central Virginia who are living longer increases, so does the need for in home health care.  Some of this need is due to the fact that there can be a strong desire to maintain some semblance of independence in the latter years, even when it may not be practical due to illness or lack of physical capabilities.

However, there is a difference between the concept of “home health” versus the need for “home care” for aging members of our community.

Alejandra Fletcher, the Director of Business Development for Interim Health Care, defined some of the distinctions on a recent episode of the Brightstar Care ‘Ask the Expert’ podcast.

“One of the biggest things is that these programs benefit the patient in general. The difference is that one program is primarily private pay (while) the other one is based on insurance coverage, usually 100% covered by the insurance company. That’s where home health comes into play. It is something that is covered and supported by insurance and the patient’s primary provider.” Fletcher said.

While Interim Health Care specializes in insurance-based services, there can be aspects of care needed that insurance does not cover, and that’s when a ‘home health’ agency partner may also be needed.

“We provide quality, skilled team members that provide care within the home that cover nursing needs, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy,” Fletcher said. “We also provide a home health aide social worker, and again that is something that is covered by insurance for the patient. We link up with the benefit of ‘home care’ for a bridge in the gap of care. We have some families that might need additional support whether it be additional private duty nursing or even some aide care to make sure their loved one stays home and that’s where we connect the two. So, basically, essentially, home health comes in again, bridging that gap of care for the family’s support, cause caregiving can be exhausting.”

The coordination of both aspects working together, from the specific medical needs to the broader picture of preventing isolation and depression among seniors or giving a caregiving family member a much-needed break, will give the patient the best chance to be successful.

“By having one agency (of the two) that is covered by insurance, it allows them to not have too much of a financial burden because down to the supplies, home health is covered 100% and then they can focus on the gaps and taking care of that with the home care aspect.” Cory Hess of Brightstar Care of Charlottesville said.

He shares the belief that it takes a village and a diverse portfolio of support opportunities in order to help local families who are carrying the burden of a loved one in need of care within the home.

“The more people you can have involved, the more help is better care and that’s the whole idea, having the gaps, bridging the gaps and just providing the most seamless transition possible when going home.” Hess said. “When you have an amazing home health agency, they are able to handle all the medical needs, be there for them and like Alejandra said, 100% covered which is amazing. Where Brightstar fits in is to come in and fill that gap and provide additional support where the family thinks they need it. Whether that’s respite care or having some caregivers come in and just take some of that load off their shoulders, that’s what we’re here to do.

“At the end of the day, it’s just having players on your team to just make a seamless transition and be there so the client can stay at home.”

Sometimes this can consist of short-term in-home care for recovery from surgery or long-term care for adults who have reached an age that they can no longer solely maintain their independence in their home.  Regardless, everything is more expensive these days for families and any relief that can be found to ease that burden without losing services can prove to be exponentially valuable to those who find themselves in these stressful situations.

You can hear the full podcast episode below: