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Home Health

4201 Bartlett Street, Homer, Alaska • (907) 235-0369

At South Peninsula Hospital Home Health, we believe healing happens best at home. Our experienced, compassionate team provides skilled medical care and rehabilitation services for homebound adults of all ages who wish to remain independent and safe in their own homes.

Our team brings hospital-quality care to patients who require intermittent skilled care while recovering from illness, surgery, or injury, or while managing chronic health conditions. All services are provided under an allowed practitioner’s order.

South Peninsula Hospital Home Health is proud to be recognized as a Top Agency on the 2018 HomeCare Elite list, placing in the top 25 percent of nearly 9,000 agencies nationwide and one of only two in Alaska. This distinction reflects our commitment to quality care, patient satisfaction, and continuous improvement.

Services

Skilled Nursing

Our skilled nurses support patients who are living with a chronic condition or recovering from an injury, illness, surgery, or recent hospital stay. They provide both hands-on care and education to help patients and their caregivers understand and manage medical diagnoses, medications, and nutrition. In collaboration with the patient’s provider, a registered nurse develops an individualized plan of care tailored to each patient’s needs.

Skilled nursing services may include wound and ostomy care, intravenous therapy, medication administration, pain management, and ongoing monitoring of overall health. Nurses can also teach caregivers technical skills that can be safely performed at home. From helping prevent complications to providing tools for self-care and medication management, our Home Health skilled nurses support patients in recovering, regaining strength, and confidently managing their health at home.

Physical Therapy

Our physical therapists help patients regain strength, balance, and mobility so they can move safely and confidently at home. Therapy may include personalized home exercise programs, fall-prevention strategies, and gait or transfer training. We also provide caregiver education and recommend durable medical equipment, such as walkers or grab bars, to support safety and independence in daily activities.

Speech Therapy

Our speech-language pathologists work with patients to restore and strengthen communication, cognitive, and swallowing abilities following illness, injury, or surgery. Therapy may also include caregiver training to support ongoing progress at home.

Occupational Therapy

Our occupational therapists help patients increase independence and improve their ability to perform daily activities safely and comfortably. Treatment focuses on restoring function, enhancing quality of life through meaningful routines, and recommending adaptive equipment or home modifications. We also provide caregiver training and environmental assessments to create the safest possible home setting for recovery

End-of-Life Care

Our Home Health team supports patients and families who wish to remain at home during the end-of-life transition. We focus on caregiver education and symptom management, and coordinate closely with the patient’s medical provider to ensure needed medications and supports are in place. Our care coordinator also assists with advance care planning, including advance directives and POLST forms (medical orders that outline a patient’s care preferences), and helps connect families with local resources for added support.

Contact Home Health

(907) 235-0369

What to Expect as a Patient

Referral and Admissions

Home Health care begins with a referral from your practitioner. Once we receive your referral, our Home Health team guides you and your family through every step of the admission process: verifying eligibility, confirming insurance coverage, and helping your care begin smoothly.

We work closely with each patient, their family, allowed practitioner, and other care partners to create a personalized plan of care tailored to your health needs and goals. Based on this plan, our skilled caregivers visit your home to provide medical care, therapy, and education that promote safety, healing, and independence.

Depending on your needs, our team may also offer caregiver training, recommend durable medical equipment to support daily activities, and conduct environmental assessments to ensure your home is as safe and supportive as possible for recovery.

Personalized Care Plan

Hospice of Homer also maintains a community donation closet stocked with gently used items, such as wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, and other assistive devices, so that cost is never a barrier to receiving care at home. We work closely with them to get loaned equipment to our patients when needed.

Community Donation Closet

FAQ

Who do you serve?

We serve adults of all ages who need skilled medical care or therapy at home to recover from illness, surgery, or injury, or to manage chronic health conditions. Patients may be transitioning from a hospital stay or managing their health at home.

To qualify, Medicare patients must meet homebound criteria, meaning they require assistance or considerable effort to leave home and need intermittent skilled care as ordered by their provider.

What is considered homebound?

The Medicare beneficiary shall be considered homebound if the following two criteria are met.

Criteria One: The beneficiary must either:

Because of illness or injury, need the aid of supportive devises such as crutches, canes, wheelchairs, and walkers; the use of special transportation; or the assistance of another person in order to leave their place of residence

Have a condition such that leaving his or her home is medically contraindicated.

Criteria Two: There must exist a normal inability to leave home;

AND

Leaving home must require a considerable and taxing effort.

Do you provide services for children?

We do provided care for children on a case-by case basis. Please contact us to discuss your needs.

Do I need a referral?

Yes. All Home Health services must be ordered by an allowed practitioner. Once we receive your referral, our Home Health care coordinators will contact you to confirm eligibility, verify insurance coverage, and guide you through the enrollment process.

What is an allowed practicioner?

Home Health services must be ordered by a qualified medical provider. In addition to physicians—such as Doctors of Medicine (MD), Doctors of Osteopathy (DO), and Doctors of Podiatric Medicine (DPM)—other “allowed practitioners” include physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and clinical nurse specialists. These providers are permitted to certify and recertify eligibility, order Home Health services, and establish and review your plan of care.

How do I refer a patient to Home Health?

Providers can fax referrals to (907) 235-0810 or contact our office for a referral form. Eligible Medicare patients must meet homebound criteria and require intermittent skilled care under an allowed practitioner’s order. Our Home Health team will confirm eligibility and payer details and communicate directly with your office to ensure a smooth transition.

How do I get started?

Talk to your primary care provider or specialist about whether Home Health services are right for you. Your provider can send a referral directly to our office. If you have questions about the process, please call us.

Will someone come to my house?

Yes. A nurse, therapist, or other skilled professional will visit you at home to provide care according to your personalized plan.

How often will someone come to my house?

Visit frequency depends on your individual needs and doctor’s orders. Some patients receive care several times a week, while others may be seen less often as they recover and gain independence.

How long will I receive care?

Home Health care continues as long as you need skilled services and meet eligibility requirements. Your progress and ongoing needs are reviewed regularly with your provider to determine when services can safely end or transition to other forms of support.

Who provides my care?

Your Home Health team may include registered nurses, physical, occupational, and speech therapists, and other skilled professionals, all working together under your allowed practicioner's guidance.

Do I have to buy equipment, or do you have things I can use?

Hospice of Homer works with South Peninsula Hospital to provide medical equipment to the community at no cost. Available equipment includes hospital beds, over-the-bed tables, lifts, walkers, wheelchairs and transport chairs, knee scooters, shower seats and benches, crutches, canes, and more.

What is your service area?

We serve patients in the greater Homer area north to Mile 134 Sterling Highway. Currently, services are not available across Kachemak Bay.

What are my options if I live outside the service area?

If you live outside our service area, our team can help you connect with another licensed home health agency that serves your location.

Call (907) 235-0369

Insurance

Most insurance plans, including Medicare, Medicaid, Triwest, and many private insurers, cover Home Health services that meet eligibility and medical necessity requirements. Our staff will help verify your coverage before services begin.