7 Clear Signs It’s Time for Home Health Care
When Does Home Health Care Become the Right Choice?
If you’ve been wondering whether your loved one needs more support at home, you’re not alone. It’s often subtle signs — not emergencies — that signal it’s time to ask for help.
At Ideal Choice Home Health, we guide families every day through this decision. Whether it’s a parent recovering from surgery or a loved one managing a chronic condition like diabetes or heart failure, our skilled nurses, therapists, and care coordinators provide the medical care and peace of mind you deserve.
Here are 7 key signs that home health care may be the next right step:
1. Frequent Falls or Balance Issues
If your loved one has recently fallen, feels unsteady, or avoids walking due to fear of falling, this is a clear warning sign. Home health care can help with:
• Physical therapy for strength and balance
• Nurse assessments of fall risk
• Education on safe movement at home
2. Missed or Mismanaged Medications
Medication errors are one of the top reasons older adults are readmitted to the hospital. If you’re noticing pills missed, taken at the wrong time, or confusion about prescriptions, a home health nurse can help:
• Manage schedules
• Administer injections or medications
• Monitor side effects
• Prevent dangerous interactions
3. Delayed Wound Healing or Skin Issues
Wounds can quickly become serious for people with diabetes or poor circulation, especially if they’re not healing with regular treatment. Here’s how we helped one patient avoid a hospital stay with expert care at home:
A diabetic patient was referred to our team with a stage 3 foot wound that wasn’t healing despite ongoing outpatient care. His daughter had been doing everything she could, driving him to appointments, and managing wound dressings, but the wound continued to worsen, and they were becoming understandably overwhelmed.
Because diabetes slows the body’s ability to heal, there was real concern about infection or potential hospitalization.
We quickly coordinated with one of the wound care physicians we partner with, who visited the patient directly at home and performed a skin graft on-site, a service many families don’t realize is even possible.
The physician continued regular home visits and provided our skilled nurse with a detailed plan of care. Together, they worked as a team to monitor healing, manage dressing changes, and adjust treatment as needed.
Thanks to that coordinated approach, the wound healed properly, and the patient was able to stay safely at home, surrounded by family, while avoiding unnecessary trips to the hospital.
4. Recent Hospitalization or Surgery
Home health care is especially valuable after discharge from:
• Hospitals
• Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs)
• Rehab centres
Our team helps prevent complications, manage medications, and guide safe recovery, often within 24–48 hours of discharge.
5. Difficulty with Daily Tasks or Mobility
Needing help to move around the house, climb stairs, or transfer from bed to chair may indicate a need for skilled therapy or nursing. Our clinicians can:
• Train patients in using walkers, canes, or wheelchairs
• Reduce fall risk
• Support independence through exercise and education
6. Worsening Chronic Conditions
If you notice symptoms like shortness of breath, confusion, swelling, or increased fatigue, it could mean your loved one’s chronic condition is getting worse.
We often care for patients with:
• Heart failure (CHF)
• COPD or asthma
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Kidney disease
Our nurses monitor vitals, adjust care plans, and work directly with your doctor.
7. Caregiver Burnout or Family Overwhelm
Sometimes the biggest sign is how you are feeling:
• Are you constantly worried about your loved one’s health?
• Are their needs outpacing your time or comfort level?
• Do you feel guilty for wanting help?
You’re not alone. Home health care exists to support both the patient and their family, so you don’t have to do it all yourself.
Serving Sherman Oaks & Surrounding Los Angeles Areas
At Ideal Choice Home Health, we proudly care for patients in Sherman Oaks, Encino, Studio City, Van Nuys, and across Los Angeles County. Our team of RNs, therapists, and care coordinators is here to help your loved one recover safely, without ever having to leave home.
FAQ: When to Consider Home Health Care
1. How do I know if my loved one qualifies for home health care?
If they’ve had a recent hospital stay, or surgery, or are managing a chronic condition — and it’s difficult to leave home — they may qualify.
2. Is home health covered by insurance?
Yes — Medicare, most HMOs, and many private plans cover skilled home health care if ordered by a physician.
3. What’s the difference between home health and home care?
Home health includes medical care by nurses and therapists. Home care refers to non-medical help with meals, bathing, or companionship.
Let’s Talk — You Don’t Have to Figure It Out Alone
If any of these signs sound familiar, give us a call. We’ll help you determine if home health care is the right next step — and if so, we’ll handle the coordination with your doctor and insurance.