West Virginia Executive Spring/Summer 2020 | Page 19

The Choice is Yours
Cream or sugar. Vanilla or chocolate. Stairs
or elevator. Smart car or SUV. Flats or heels.
Life is full of choices, so why should your
health care be any different? One of the
choices you may not know you have is
home health care. If you need additional
care after a hospital stay, whether for an
accident, medical emergency, or elective
surgery, you can choose to use home
health care during your recovery. Covered
by many insurance providers, home health
is generally less expensive than additional
time at the hospital or in a rehab or
nursing facility.
As Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz” said,
“There’s no place like home.” Recovering
in the comfort of home can work wonders
for the patient’s health, both physically
and mentally. Studies show many patients
heal faster at home, likely due to reduced
stress and feeling safer than they would in
unfamiliar surroundings. The independence
afforded by home health care is a morale
boost, allowing the patient to maintain
some control over their care while involving
family and friends in the process.
Continuity of care is a huge benefit, as
the home health team will work with
your physician or surgeon to tailor a
comprehensive plan for your specific
needs. Home care services are flexible.
You may only need one service, but we’ve
found many patients use a combination of
services as their recovery progresses.
Many people associate home health
care with senior or terminally ill patients;
however, it can benefit anyone at any age
who has a medical need. Some of the
assistance your home health team can
provide includes:
• Wound care for diabetic patients
• Physical therapy after knee or hip
replacement
• Decongestive therapy for chronic
swelling (lymphedema)
• Speech therapy after stroke or head
injury
• Occupational therapy after spinal cord
injury or broken bone
• Medication management after heart
attack or cancer
• Dietary counseling to promote healing
after surgery or illness
• Assistance with daily activities during
recovery
Home health care also reduces the
likelihood of hospital readmission, as
treatment and evaluation are safely
conducted at home. Unnecessary trips to
urgent care or the emergency room expose
the patient to germs and infection, which
can prolong or exacerbate their condition.
Recovering at home is one of the best gifts
you can give yourself or your loved one.
Choose Panhandle Home Health, a trusted
caregiver serving patients in Jefferson,
Berkeley, and Morgan Counties since 1976.
We’re here for you 24/7 to provide quality,
compassionate care in the comfort of
your home.
Panhandle Home Health, Inc. is a
nonprofit Medicare-certified home health
care agency and is a partner agency of
the United Way of the Eastern Panhandle.
208 Old Mill Road, Martinsburg, WV 25401
[phone] | www.PanhandleHomeHealth.org