Health Care Brochure

A growing number of people are looking at home health care as an alternative to nursing homes for the elderly, the chronically ill, or the disabled. Home-based health care costs less than institutional health care, gives more satisfaction to those who receive it, and often results in fewer and shorter hospital stays. Yale-New Haven Hospital is providing tips in a free fact sheet called Getting the Most Out of Home Health Care.

The fact sheet provides valuable information for people seeking home health care from various providers, qualified services and costs. Other tips include:

*If you are hospitalized, bring up the subject of home health care with staff as early as possible. Waiting until you are ready to leave the hospital may not give you enough time to make arrangements.

*When you receive home-based nursing care, the nurse will encourage you to learn some of the procedures. This creates a back-up plan should your insurance coverage expire or the home care professional be unable to make a scheduled visit.

*When not prepared adequately, older people often resent and resist those who are hired to help them. Share your concerns with them and, if possible, involve the elderly person in the planning process before the health care provider comes into the home.

For free copies of Getting the Most Out Of Home Health Care, call toll free 888-700-6543.