Life Care operates more than 200 skilled nursing homes, assisted living facilities, retirement living communities, home care services, and Alzheimer's centers.
Services - Home Care
Service & Amenities
To receive Medicare benefits for home health services, patients must have a doctor's order. After obtaining this order, Life Care at Home professionals work with the patients and their families to develop a plan of care. This plan is reviewed and signed by the doctor upon development and every 60 days thereafter for as long as home care is needed. The services generally prescribed by a doctor are described below.
Skilled or intermittent care services
Patients needing skilled/intermittent care may require injections, dressing changes, instruction in their disease process or the administration of medication. Some common diagnoses for those requiring skilled/intermittent care include diabetes, cancer, congestive heart failure and wound care.
Physical therapy
After surgery of an extended illness, patients often require physical therapy to help them regain strength and mobility. Instruction in using walkers, transferring from the bed to a wheelchair, and implementing home exercise programs are examples of the services provided by physical therapists.
Occupational therapy
Patients may need occupational therapy to improve their function of tasks such as dressing, bathing or eating after an injury or illness. By using rehabilitation techniques and training patients in the use of special equipment, occupational therapists can help patients achieve greater independence.
Speech therapy
Patients with communication or swallowing disorders, which are commonly the result of traumas such as surgery or stroke, often require speech therapy. This therapy discipline helps retrain patients in breathing, swallowing and muscle control.
Sitters and private services
Sitters are available to stay with patients at home or in the hospital when family or friends are unable to do so. In the home setting, sitters may also provide private services such as light housekeeping, meal preparation, running errands and grocery shopping. However, sitters do not provide hands-on care.
Live-in services
Live-in services are for patients who should not be left at home alone because of medical or safety reasons. These services are offered on a 24-hour basis and may include assistance with personal care, household tasks, meal preparation and other services requested by the client.
Social services
A medical social worker is sometimes needed to evaluate the social and emotional needs affecting a patient. Social workers also help patients and family members identify and access available community resources.