Home health care includes a multitude of medical and personal services provided in your own home, making it possible to retain a measure of independence and receive care in a comfortable, familiar environment. Home health care is available through hospitals, home health care agencies and public health departments. It encompasses services provided by nurses, therapists and home care aides, including:

• Health care—nursing, social work, physical and rehabilitative therapy, medication monitoring and medical equipment
• Personal care—assistance with personal hygiene, dressing, bathing and exercise
• Nutrition—meal planning, cooking and meal delivery
• Homemaking—housekeeping, shopping and household paperwork
• Social and safety needs—transportation services, companions and a daily telephone check

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Arranging a home care program requires some investigating and organizing, and you may have to coordinate services from more than one source. There are a number of ways to find home care, or to find nursing homes or assisted living facilities. Start by calling your local Area Agency on Aging office for suggestions, or phone the Eldercare Locator at 1-800/677-1116, 9:00 am - 8:00 pm, E.T., for the names of home health care organizations in your area. You may also want to ask for referrals from:

• Relatives and friends
• Hospital discharge planners
• Physicians