Home health care providers offer professional nursing and therapy services in your home. These services, provided by Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) or Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) include health assessments, patient education, taking samples for lab tests, wound dressing, medication training and compliance, management of IVs and more.

Some providers also offer physical, occupational, speech and respiratory therapy. Some agencies can arrange for home adaptations (for example, installing grab bars) and durable medical equipment such as hospital beds and oxygen tanks.

When selecting home health agency, it is advisable to consult with friends and professionals familiar with services in your community. Before you call or visit a home health care agency, you may wish to print out copies of Getcare's Home Health Care checklist, which provides detailed questions to help you to evaluate and compare providers.

Short-term home health care for individuals who need acute medical care may be paid for by Medicare, if the following conditions are met:

Otherwise, the individual receiving home health care services generally pays for them. Some long-term care insurance plans offer coverage for home health care.