What is Home Health?

Many people are unfamiliar with home health as a service until they are faced with a choice after an illness, surgery, or injury. Home health is professional medical care provided in your home, and can include skilled nursing care and physical, occupational, or speech therapies.

Mary Washington Home Health has been the leader of home health services in the Fredericksburg region for more than 40 years, and we are committed to providing high quality medical care when patients are homebound and outpatient care is not appropriate. Patients can benefit from home health after a hospital stay due to illness or infection, or after an emergency or elective surgery, like a joint replacement.

Skilled home health is different than personal caregiving. Home health nurses and therapists are trained medical professionals who can provide high level, skilled nursing care and therapy. After an illness, injury, or surgery, home health providers assist you with getting back to your highest level of functioning. Personal caregivers are often not medical professionals and help with tasks like companionship, errands, or housework.

When choosing your home health agency, it’s important to keep in mind that these providers will be coming into your home to provide care. Choosing an agency you trust is very important. Look for one with a reputation for providing quality care that has an open line of communication with your surgeon and other providers. Mary Washington Home Health is a part of the Mary Washington Healthcare family and works closely with providers in the area to stay up to date on your progress and care plan.

Home Health can provide many different types of care, including:

• Skilled nursing care
• Wound care
• Intravenous (IV) antibiotics
• Medication management
• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Speech therapy

Home health is covered by most major insurance plans and Medicare. Contact your plan for details about your coverage.

If you are scheduled for an elective joint replacement surgery and will need home health after discharge, it’s not too early to plan! Our intake coordinators can help set up your home health needs before you go in for surgery, so it’s one less thing to think about during your recovery.

For more information about Mary Washington Home Health, call us at 540.741.1667.