Home healthcare in the 2020s has undergone a remarkable transformation. While some may recall the image of doctors making house calls with their black medical bags from the 1950s, the current landscape is vastly different. In 2024, it is not only a growing trend but one with a purpose - to maximize resources while ensuring the comfort and security of patients.

Revolutionizing Healthcare at Home

Why the Need for Home Healthcare is Growing

The world's population is aging, and this demographic shift is driving the demand for home healthcare. According to the World Health Organization, between 2015 and 2050, the proportion of the population over 60 years will increase from 12% to 22%. Additionally, people aged 80 years or older are expected to triple during the same period. A John A. Hartford survey from 2021 indicated that 71% of older adults prefer not to live in a nursing home. Coupled with a shortage of healthcare workers and emerging technologies, home healthcare is set to become a new wave in healthcare. In Kentucky, for example, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services lists roughly 80 entities with Medicaid provider identification numbers for home health, ranging from large healthcare providers to local health departments.A MedicalTechnologySchools.com report projects that nearly 8,000 home health and personal care aide jobs will be added in Kentucky between 2020 and 2030, representing a growth of more than 35%. In a Stacker.com list of most in-demand nursing jobs in the state, home health nurse tops the list, even surpassing registered nurses and nurse practitioners.

Services Offered by Home Health

To qualify for home health assistance, per Medicare guidelines, patients must have difficulty leaving the home, such as needing a walker, or be recommended by a doctor not to leave due to a medical condition. Telehealth has gained significant popularity since the COVID pandemic. What was once a trip to the doctor's office for a follow-up check can now be a virtual video chat, keeping patients at home and easing the strain on understaffed doctors' offices.Another development is home-monitoring technology. For instance, if a patient needs ongoing observation for a heart condition, it can be assessed from their own couch instead of through a hospital stay or repeated doctor visits. They may have an in-home unit or wear a biometrics device that monitors vital signs and transmits data in real time.Home health agencies are now capable of handling a wide range of services, from surgical recovery to end-of-life care. A patient can have hip replacement surgery at a hospital and go home the same day to receive follow-up care and rehab at home. The same applies to rehabbing an injury or various physical ailments. Home healthcare services can range from 24-hour-a-day in-home care to simple scheduled medication and meal drop-off.

The Benefits of Home Healthcare

The main benefit of home healthcare is better patient outcomes. The industry is still determining when home healthcare is a better option than clinical care. The ongoing shortage of healthcare workers has led to patients being discharged from hospitals too quickly, resulting in readmissions that stress both staff and facilities. Additionally, hospital reimbursements for readmitted patients are lower, further driving the move towards home healthcare. In general, people prefer to be treated or rehabilitated at home whenever possible.Finding the ideal balance between clinical care and home healthcare while building the workforce is a current challenge for the entire industry. It not only eases stress on healthcare systems but also ensures that patients receive the care they need.

Training More Healthcare Workers

Healthcare staffing shortages have been a long-standing problem, and in some states like Kentucky, it is critical. Rural areas face challenges with the closure of medical facilities and the purchase of doctors' offices by large corporations. Home health can make a significant difference in these areas by providing better outcomes for patients.A recent initiative by the University of Kentucky, the Advancing Kentucky Together Network, aims to build Kentucky's healthcare workforce and train new healthcare workers. The initiative will invest millions of dollars in resources to support partners in tracking, measuring, and documenting patient outcomes, enhance educational opportunities, and expand community outreach. Keeping people close to their homes and finding the best way to provide care effectively are key goals."Patients want to receive care at home; they do well at home," said Stephanie Henry. "There is a greater need for home care. Value-based care and optimizing care delivery is the trend - the right level of care at the right time. If possible, patients would rather be at home for these services."