Health and Fitness : I want to stay in my home: Can I do that?

Can I do that at home? Virginia Gay Hospital’s Home Health Agency strives to bring exceptional care to you, at home, because there is no place like home!

The Home Health Agency, a certified Medicare service provider since 1975, offers a comprehensive array of skilled nursing, homemaking and personal care; including state of the art physical, occupational and speech therapy at the patients’ home.

Patients of all ages benefit from the VGH Home Health Agency’s tradition of care. Marcia Taylor, Home Health Manager, strongly believes in helping patients manage their health at home as long as safely possible and “encourages patient participation in planning their care.”

How does it work?

Patients are referred to the VGH Home Health Agency through a variety of sources: hospitals, physicians/providers, family members/friends, or the patients themselves.

Once the referral has been made, the VGH Home Health Agency will coordinate with the patients’ medical provider. The Home Health Agency will meet with the patient within 48 hours or when physician ordered to develop a care plan tailored to the patients’ specific needs.

During the first in-home visit, and throughout treatment the VGH Home Health Agency nurse will meet with the patient, evaluate in-home needs, manage care ordered by physician order, and provide feedback to physician as warranted.

Types of Services Available:

Home Care Aides – A wide range of home services are available from essential Homemaker Services (e.g., light housekeeping, laundry, vacuuming, and shopping); and Home Health Aides, who provides personal services (e.g., assisting in personal care hygiene, baths, shampoos, meal preparation, and range of motion exercises).

Skilled Nursing – The transition from illness, injury, or surgery to independence at home frequently requires the services of a skilled nurse. VGH Home Health Agency provides these important services: administration of injections, diabetic care instruction, Ostomy care, Foley catheter insertion and follow-up care, blood draws, disease education and management, skilled observation, medication management, and supervision of home care aids.

Rehab Therapy – The scope of rehabilitation services including physical, occupational and speech therapy offered in-home includes: orthopedic care, balance/fall prevention, speech-language disorders, neurological disorders, home safety assessment and teaching, and home exercise program.

Community Health – VGH Home Health Agency staff nurses provide many important community services. Among the services provided are blood pressure, foot care, and flu shot clinics; education for emergency planning, maternal health visits, and public speaking services. In addition, the Home Health Agency provides information on preventative services, healthy lifestyles, and promoting healthy choices.

Can I do that at Home?

Whether it’s maintaining an independent lifestyle at home, assisting in recovery post-hospitalization or providing preventative health information, Virginia Gay Hospital Home Health Agency is an important community resource for people of every age.

If you’d like to learn more about how to access Virginia Gay Hospital Home Health Agency, please call 319-472-6360 or visit our webpage: Home Health Agency.