will be useful. It is available for $1.25. To get this pamphlet you can write or call:

National Association for Home Care
519 'C' Street N.E.
Stanton Park, Washington, D.C.
20002 1-202-547-7424

"Caring for the Patient with Cancer at Home" deals with home care in general. To get this pamphlet call your local American Cancer Society Unit, or 1-800-ACS-2345.

Payment for home health care may be covered by Medicare, Medical Assistance, private insurance, or other payment sources if you are confined to your home and the care you need is:

Home health agencies follow guidelines set up by Medicare and Medical Assistance when deciding what types of care will be covered and for what period of time. Insurance guidelines vary, so the home health-care agency will check with your insurance company to see which services are covered.

Other sources of payment for a home service include:

A hospital or home health social worker can direct you to one of these sources.

Helpful Hints

Having someone come into your home does not mean you must give up control of your life. The goal of home services is to help people function on their own as much as possible. You can help come up with a plan for your care that meets your approval and needs.

If you want home health care and your doctor has not suggested it, discuss it with him or her. Home health care must be prescribed by your doctor to be covered by a payment program.

If you are getting home health care and want the services of a home health aide, discuss your needs with your nurse, social worker, or rehabilitation therapist. Medicare and state programs often pay for this service, but insurance and other private groups often do not.

Only if you are getting skilled nursing care, physical therapy, or speech therapy will Medicare pay for:

Services given by a home health care agency are for a short amount of time. If you need home care for a longer time, look into private-duty nursing services. Sometimes you may need home health care after Medicare, state aid, private insurance, or others stop paying for these services. Ask if the home health agency you want to use will provide care based on your income. This would be an important consideration if you may need home health care after insurance payments stop.

If you are not pleased with the service you are getting or the people giving the service, contact your home health agency. Speak with the head of patient services or the person who is in charge of those workers coming to your home.

Home care is not right for all patients. Sometimes the type of care you need cannot be given in the home.

Helping someone take a bath or cook a meal is not skilled nursing. If your only need is bathing or other personal care assistance, you may find the services of a homemaker helpful. A homemaker can assist you with self-care during one or two visits a week, spending one to two hours each visit. A homemaker service is offered by your area agency on aging to people who are at least 60 years old who meet special guidelines. If you need this service, contact your local agency office. A case worker from this office will visit you in your home to assess your needs. He or she will decide if you meet the guidelines. This service is available free or for a small fee. There may be a waiting list for this service. You may need a private homemaker service if:

Sometimes you may feel lonely and shut away from other people, especially if you have to remain homebound, even for a short while. This can be particularly true for persons whose family members or friends are working or are not able to be with them. If this is the case, discuss this with your nurse or social worker. Some cities or places of worship sponsor friendly visitor programs. In these programs, a volunteer visits home-bound patients to provide conversation, friendship, and support.

This Fact Sheet is adapted from the book, Helping People Cope: A Guide for Families Facing Cancer, written by Joan F. Hermann, ACSW, Sandra L. Wojtkowiak, RN, MSN, Peter S. Houts, Ph.D., and S. Benham Kahn, MD, and supported by the Pennsylvania Cancer Control Program of the Pennsylvania Department of Health; 1990 Revised Edition.

c 1993, American Cancer Society

[E-Mail | Guest Book | Return | More Info]