Stroke - Paying for In-Home Nursing Care

A stroke is to the brain what a heart attack is to the heart. For whatever reason, blood flow to the brain is interrupted, slowed, or otherwise inhibited from carrying needed oxygen to the brain. Depending on the area of the brain affected, physical symptoms may include headache, muscle weakness on one side of the body or face, difficulties with eyesight, speech, or hearing, confusion, loss of memory, and loss of coordination. Other symptoms are possible and in some cases, there are no symptoms to indicate a patient has had a stroke. Strokes are more common as age increases, especially when there are risk factors such as family history, smoking, or high blood pressure.

Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for a stroke to cause long-term or even permanent brain damage. Some patients recover completely, while others must come to terms with long-lasting effects. In some cases, damage slowly repairs itself over time and with the right treatments and therapies. In those cases, recovery takes a long time and involves intensive medical care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and often speech therapy, as well as medications. In cases where full recovery is not possible, varying levels of nursing care may be needed.

Once a stroke has hit, medical staff and family must decide the appropriate course of treatment and if any therapy will be required. It is then that the overwhelming cost of recovery and day to day care become apparent. Since many stroke patients are elderly, dealing with the complex maze of Medicare and Medicare supplemental insurance can be a trying proposition for unsuspecting family members. Residency in a long-term care facility or in-home nursing care are often required, even for patients who have only lost partial functions. Ongoing physical, occupational, or speech therapies must be coordinated alongside day to day nursing care.

Medicare is limited in what is covered under caring for a stroke patient, depending on the specific type of plan. In terms of supplemental plans, not all plans will cover in-home nursing, in-home therapies, or long-term care facilities unless specific criteria is met. This can make coordinating care and deciding on the best treatments difficult, especially for seniors on a limited budget or fixed income. Luckily, many long-term care facilities and in-home nursing agencies are very familiar with Medicare and Medicare supplemental insurance and can help family members navigate the complex process. For younger patients, private health insurance covers most expenses including long-term care and private nursing.

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Sean L Johnson is a journalist for Health Insurance Buyer a referral service that refers consumers to the insurance carriers that can best fit their wants and needs. Get a free reduce quote today at health-insurance-buyer.com health-insurance-buyer.com