Can Home Health Care Provide Skilled Nursing and Therapy Services?

Skilled Nursing and Therapy Services in Home Health Care

One of the biggest advantages of home health care is that it brings a wide range of skilled medical and therapy services directly to seniors’ homes. This allows older adults to recover, rehabilitate, and manage complex medical needs without having to leave their familiar surroundings. Here’s a detailed look at the skilled nursing and therapy services available through home health care agencies, and how they can benefit your loved one.

What Is Skilled Nursing in Home Health Care?

• Care provided by registered nurses (RNs) or licensed practical/vocational nurses (LPNs/LVNs)
• Services include wound care, medication administration (including injections and IVs), disease management (such as diabetes or heart failure), catheter care, ostomy care, monitoring vital signs, drawing blood, and teaching self-care techniques to patients and families
• Nurses also coordinate care with doctors, report changes in condition, and help prevent hospital readmissions

What Therapy Services Are Included?

• Physical Therapy: Restores mobility, strength, balance, and function after illness, injury, or surgery. Therapists design exercise programs, train on safe mobility, and recommend adaptive devices.
• Occupational Therapy: Focuses on regaining independence in daily living activities (bathing, dressing, meal prep). Therapists adapt tasks and the home environment for maximum safety and ease.
• Speech-Language Therapy: Helps with communication or swallowing difficulties due to stroke, neurological conditions, or injury. Therapists work on exercises to improve speech, cognition, or safe eating and drinking.

How Services Are Delivered

1. A doctor writes an order for skilled nursing or therapy based on a recent health assessment or after hospitalization.
2. The home health agency assigns a nurse or therapist to visit the patient at home, usually several times a week based on medical need.
3. Each visit includes assessment, hands-on care, patient/family teaching, and detailed documentation for the physician.

Who Is Eligible?

• Services must be medically necessary, prescribed by a doctor, and provided by a Medicare-certified home health agency.
• The patient must be homebound for Medicare coverage (see previous FAQ for full details).

Benefits of Skilled Nursing and Therapy at Home

• Reduces risk of infection and rehospitalization
• Promotes faster, safer recovery in a familiar setting
• Supports independence and quality of life for seniors
• Relieves burden on family caregivers

How to Arrange Skilled Care at Home

1. Speak to your doctor about the need for skilled nursing or therapy
2. Get a referral to a Medicare-certified home health agency
3. Work with the agency to develop a personalized care plan

For a complete guide to skilled home health services, visit our Home Health Care for Seniors resource page.