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Our In-Home Services & Support | HomeHealth - ChristianaCare
Skilled Nursing Care Delivered Right at Home
Timely referrals and coordinated care that reduce readmissions.
Intermittent skilled nursing at home for medication management and other chronic conditions.
Refer a patient for skilled nursing services today.
What Is Skilled Nursing at Home?
In-home nursing services are clinician-ordered medical care provided by licensed nurses in your home. Services may include medication management, wound care, patient and caregiver education, monitoring of vital signs and support for managing chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.
The key difference from standard home care is medical expertise: skilled nursing is clinical and time-limited, focused on recovery, stabilization or preventing complications, while non-medical home care supports daily activities like bathing, dressing and meal preparation. It may also complement programs such as cardiac rehabilitation, which supports heart recovery through supervised exercise and education.
According to Medicare, home health services may be covered when medically necessary, ordered by a clinician and provided to eligible patients who are homebound.
Skilled Nursing (Home Health) |
Provided by licensed nurses |
Requires a clinician's order |
Medical treatments (such as wound care or IVs) |
Often covered by Medicare (if eligible) |
Short-term, goal-oriented care |
Who Qualifies & Coverage for Medicare/Insurance
To qualify for Medicare home health benefits, you need a clinician’s order and a documented plan of care. You must also require part-time skilled care (such as nursing visits for wound care, medication management, or chronic condition monitoring) and be considered homebound, meaning leaving home takes significant effort or assistance.
When eligible, Medicare may cover skilled nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and sometimes speech-language pathology or medical social services. Care is typically short-term and focused on recovery and preventing complications.
Coverage may also include durable medical equipment (DME), such as walkers or hospital beds, when included in your care plan. Learn more about costs and insurance options at Paying for Care.
Eligibility depends on your condition, clinician documentation, and insurance plan.
Services You Can Receive
Skilled nursing at home provides clinical care to support recovery, manage ongoing conditions, and help you stay safely at home. Care is tailored to your needs and guided by your clinician’s plan of care. Many patients also benefit from coordinated therapy services (such as physical, occupational, or speech therapy) available through rehabilitative services to support strength, mobility, and independence at home.
Common services include:
- Wound & ostomy care at home: Assessment, dressing changes, infection prevention and support for surgical wounds, pressure injuries or ostomies.
- IV therapy at home (including antibiotics): Safe administration of intravenous medications or fluids, along with monitoring for side effects and response to treatment.
- Injections: Administration of prescribed injections (such as insulin or other medications) with proper technique and follow-up.
- Medication management at home: Reviewing medications, organizing schedules, educating on proper use and watching for interactions and side effects.
- Catheter care at home: Insertion support (when ordered), routine care, monitoring for complications and education to reduce infection risk.
- Chronic disease monitoring: Ongoing assessment and support for conditions like heart disease, lung disease or diabetes to help prevent complications and hospital readmissions.
- Caregiver education & support: Teaching family members or caregivers how to assist with care tasks safely, recognize warning signs and follow the care plan.
Learn more about the full range of our home health services.
What to Expect: Visit Cadence & Safety
- Initial RN assessment: Your care begins with a registered nurse visiting your home to assess your condition, review medications and discharge instructions and confirm your goals. A personalized plan of care is established in coordination with your clinician.
- Visit frequency: Care is typically based on your needs and not full-time. Many patients receive a few visits per week at the start, especially for post-surgical nursing at home, with visits reducing as recovery progresses. For chronic disease management at home, visits may be less frequent but ongoing to monitor symptoms and prevent complications.
- Coordination with your clinician: Your home health team communicates regularly with your physician, providing updates and adjusting your care plan as needed. Changes in your condition can be addressed quickly to support safe, timely care.
- Infection-control protocols: Nurses follow strict safety practices, including hand hygiene, appropriate use of protective equipment and proper handling of medications and supplies to reduce infection risk.
- Home safety guidelines: During visits, your nurse may assess your home for fall risks and provide practical recommendations to help you stay safe and confident between visits.
How to Start
Getting started with skilled nursing at home is simple and designed to support a smooth transition from hospital or clinic to home.
- Talk to your clinician: Ask your doctor or specialist if you meet home health eligibility requirements and would benefit from skilled nursing at home.
- Referral & order: Your clinician sends a referral and creates a plan of care outlining the services you need and your home health nurse visit frequency.
- Discharge planning support: If you're leaving the hospital, your care team or case manager can coordinate home health services before you go home.
- Insurance verification: Your provider will review coverage, including Medicare or other insurance, and confirm eligibility.
- Schedule your first visit: A nurse will contact you to arrange your initial in-home assessment and begin care.
- Contact options: You can request services through your clinician, a hospital discharge planner, a rehabilitation social worker or by calling or submitting a referral request directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
In-home medication management is helpful for anyone who takes multiple prescriptions or needs extra support staying on track. This often includes older adults, people with chronic conditions, patients recently discharged from the hospital, and those experiencing memory or vision challenges. A physician referral may be required for in-home medication management services, depending on your situation and insurance coverage.
Nurses review all medications, including prescribed medications, over-the-counter drugs and supplements, and compare them against your medical history, allergies and provider instructions. They use clinical tools and collaborate with your physician or pharmacist to identify potential interactions, duplications or incorrect dosages, and help resolve any issues quickly.
Medication support may be covered under home health benefits if it's part of a physician-ordered plan of care. Coverage can vary depending on your insurance provider, such as Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance. Learn more about coverage options and paying for care on our Home Care Payment Information page, and confirm eligibility and any out-of-pocket costs with your care team before starting services.
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Kent and Sussex County Office
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