Patient Information

What is Home Care?

Berkshire Visiting Nurse Association provides high-quality health care that allows patients to recover, or live with illness, in the comfort of their own homes, surrounded by family and friends. By providing care, education, and support, we help patients become independent in managing their care.

Patients must be homebound, have a physician's order and insurance authorization to be eligible for home health services.

Examples of conditions which may require home care are: cancer, AIDS, diabetes, heart and lung diseases, fractures, and strokes, chronic illness, and disabilities.

A home care plan is tailored to each patient's specific needs by BVNA staff and the patient's physician.

The Home Care Team

Home care visits may be made by registered nurses, rehabilitation therapists, medical social workers, nutritionists, and home health aides, depending on the plan of care.

Skilled nursing care includes services and care that can only be performed safely and correctly by a licensed nurse.

Your doctor may order physical therapy, which includes exercises to regain movement and strength in a body area, and training on how to use special equipment or do daily activities.

You may receive speech-language therapy,which includes exercises to regain and strengthen speech skills.

Some patients receive occupational therapy, which helps you to become able to do usual daily activities by yourself.

We provide medical social services to help you with social and emotional concerns related to your illness.

Your home care team will provide physical, mental and psychosocial assessment; education assessment; medication teaching, treatments and procedures; safety assessment, and discharge planning.