Conditions Requiring Home Health Care

1. Cardiovascular Conditions

• Heart failure - monitoring fluid status, medication management, dietary guidance
• Post-myocardial infarction (heart attack) - recovery support, cardiac rehab at home
• Hypertension - ongoing monitoring and medication compliance

2. Respiratory Conditions

• COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) - home oxygen therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation, energy conservation techniques
• Pneumonia (recovering) - IV antibiotic administration, monitoring for complications
• Black lung disease - home oxygen and pulmonary rehab covered under Federal Black Lung Program (per Murray & Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine)
• Asthma (severe/uncontrolled)

3. Neurological Conditions

• Stroke - rehabilitation (physical, occupational, speech therapy), fall prevention
• Alzheimer's disease / Dementia - cognitive support, caregiver education, safety monitoring (Harrison's Internal Medicine notes home health aides and day centers as key community resources)
• Parkinson's disease - mobility training, medication management
• Multiple sclerosis (MS) - fatigue management, physical therapy

4. Metabolic & Endocrine Conditions

• Diabetes mellitus - blood sugar monitoring, wound care for diabetic ulcers, medication/insulin teaching, amputation recovery
• Obesity-related complications

5. Musculoskeletal & Post-Surgical Conditions

• Post-joint replacement (hip, knee, shoulder) - physical therapy, mobility training
• Fractures - rehabilitation after orthopedic surgery
• Post-operative recovery (any major surgery) - wound care, drain management, IV medications

6. Wound Care

• Surgical incisions
• Pressure ulcers/sores (decubitus ulcers) - noted in Campbell-Walsh Urology as a target for home health care reduction programs
• Diabetic foot wounds
• Venous/arterial ulcers

7. Cancer

• Chemotherapy side effect management
• Wound care
• Infection prevention
• Palliative/end-of-life care

8. Infectious Diseases

• Post-hospitalization infections
• IV antibiotic therapy at home (osteomyelitis, endocarditis, cellulitis)
• Influenza recovery with complications

9. Renal Conditions

• Chronic kidney disease (CKD) - dialysis support, dietary management
• Post-renal transplant care

10. Psychiatric / Behavioral Conditions

• Severe depression or anxiety (as part of ACA "health home" services per Kaplan & Sadock's Psychiatry)
• Patients with multiple chronic conditions and complex medication regimens

11. Geriatric Conditions

• Falls, dizziness, or balance disorders - fall risk assessment, physical therapy, home safety evaluation
• General functional decline in elderly patients
• Frailty with multiple comorbidities

12. Pediatric Conditions

• Children requiring parenteral nutrition or IV therapy at home
• Chronic illness management
• Post-hospitalization recovery

General Eligibility Criteria for Home Health Care

• Are homebound (leaving home requires considerable effort)
• Need skilled nursing (wound care, IV therapy, injections, monitoring)
• Need rehabilitation (physical, occupational, or speech therapy)
• Have an unstable or complex health condition requiring professional oversight
• Have received a physician's order for home health services