Silver haired woman in a blue sweater and pants uses a walker.Smiling female nurse in pink scrubs is standing holding a clipboard.A nurse and elderly woman with a cane sit on a blue couch looking through photos, smiling.

Services

Welcome to CareCo Medical, where wellness comes home.

At CareCo Medical, we care about you and your good health. Our dedicated staff will work with you to understand your health goals, as well as those of your medical team. Using an inter-disciplinary approach that considers all aspects of your health and lifestyle, we will develop a comprehensive and written care plan that will help you reach your highest practical level of physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being.

Female nurse in aqua scrubs gently placing her hand on the shoulder of a white haired woman while they sit on a couch and fill out paperwork.

Skilled Nursing

Skilled Nursing is a generalized title that refers to medical care being delivered by licensed nurses. At CareCo Medical skilled nursing services are provided by registered nurses (RN) and/or licensed practical nurses (LPN). LPN’S work closely under the supervision of an RN. Skilled nursing provides many medical services based on what is deemed medically necessary by your primary care doctor.

Rehabilitative Therapies

Rehabilitative therapies are an essential part of recovering from an acute illness or injury. At CareCo Medical we have physical therapists (PT) and occupational therapists (OT), based on what your rehabilitative needs are provided by your doctor we will assign the perfect therapist to you. At CareCo our goals are patient centered meaning our therapy plans are designed to integrate your diagnosis and medical needs along with your personal therapeutic goals. With CareCo Medical’s therapists by your side you can conquer the goals that are important to you.
A nurse stands supportively near an older man as he uses a walker.
A nurse helps a seated elderly patient to wash her hands in a bathroom setting.

Home Health Aides & Personal Care

At CareCo Medical our Home Health Aides (HHA) are Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) who work under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN). Our services typically involve helping with dressing, toileting, skin and nail care, personal hygiene, showering and bathing, and general health supervision. It does not include running errands or housekeeping services. Our staff would be happy to refer you to our sister company, CareCo Shoreline.

Wound Care

Wound care is traditionally required in cases of traumatic wounds, surgical wounds, pressure ulcers, venous stasis ulcers, arterial ulcers, diabetic ulcers, fistulas, ostomies, tubes and drains, and wounds such as those caused by radiation, neoplasm and others. Our CareCo Medical staff are qualified to treat all of the above conditions. They will support and provide education to you, your family members, and caregivers about proper wound care.
A female nurse uses gauze to wrap the wrist of an elderly woman in pink zipper fleece
A nurse holds a plate with an open banana and an orange.  The older woman is about to eat a piece of the banana holding a small piece in her hand, presumably before or after taking her prescription medications.

Medication Reconciliation

Medication management encompasses a number of supports. First, a CareCo RN will make sure that all of your medications are reconciled. They provide ongoing reconciliation to ensure that your plan of care is always kept current with doctors’ orders, regardless of how frequently those orders change. Second, our nurses will teach you how to manage your day with your specific medications. For example, we will identify the best time for you to take each medication, what medications you should or should not take with food, possible side effects, and how to manage side effects.

Physical Therapy

Our physical therapists will evaluate your needs and personal goals and create a plan of care to help you regain or strengthen the use of weakened or injured muscles. Overall, the goal of our physical therapists is to relieve your pain and to improve your mobility, returning you to the best possible quality of life and level of activity.
A nurse aides in the physical therapy of an older man.  She assists with his form as he holds small hand weights straight out in front of his body while seated.
A male nurse with a beard assists and older male patient with getting out of his bed and into a wheelchair.

Occupational Therapy

Our occupational therapists will help you with any physical, developmental, social, or emotional disabilities. They will help you relearn how to perform such daily functions as eating, bathing, dressing, and more. Typically, occupational therapy help with many of the same ailments that physical therapy addresses. Occupational therapy adapts to your own daily activities as a means to advance your rehabilitation.

Medical Social Worker (MSW)

Medical Social Workers are skilled professionals who offer emotional support, advocacy and resources to patients with chronic diseases or who are recovering from surgery, illness or injury.

Home health social workers play an important role in healthcare. If there are challenges making it difficult for you to stay independent at home, CareCo Medical social workers can help you find solutions.

The National Association of Social Workers states: “As practitioners, social workers are trained to help people address personal and systemic barriers to optimal living. They are employed to effect positive change with individuals, families, groups and entire communities.”

CareCo Medical’s MSW works alongside our nurses, PT/OT’s, home health aides and other members of the home health team, to be by your side to help you navigate the healthcare system and get your needs met. For patients who meet the eligibility criteria, MSW services are typically covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and many major insurance plans. You and your family members can greatly benefit from the added support of a MSW.  Commonly, patients require short-term care planning to recover from injury, surgery, or acute illness. MSW's act as consultants—helping you, the patient, understand what you have gone through as you transition from a hospital or skilled nursing facility to your home. MSW’s provide emotional support for the entire family. MSW’s educate and consult with you, the patient, and your family on available community resources, from transportation services to Meals on Wheels. MSW’s act as a resource for care planning—supporting Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), reviewing health insurance, determining veterans’ status and benefits, and connecting caregivers.  

CareCo Medical’s MSW services include, but are not limited to:

-Helping patients navigate the healthcare system, including assistance with insurance paperwork, making decisions and goals for care, long-term care planning and completing advance directives.

-Connecting patients with community resources, such as Meals on Wheels, financial assistance, veterans’ resources and mental health support.

-Providing emotional and relationship counseling to patients and families.

-Assessing and treating mental health and substance use disorders, in addition to creating plans for crisis prevention and intervention.

-Advocating for patients to ensure their care wishes and preferences are honored.

-Identifying areas of need, such as medication management or a home safety assessment, to help patients remain independent and safe at home.
A professionally dressed smiling woman holding a clipboard is greeted at the door by someone in the foreground wearing a pink long sleeved shirt.
Closeup of a young pair of adult hands holding an older pair of hands in show of support and care.

Memory Care

CareCo Medical can provide you with a list of local pharmacy partners from which you can choose. These pharmacies have been selected for their high quality of customer service. These services include medication pours and the free delivery of medications. In addition, if your medication changes, CareCo Medical’s pharmaceutical partners can replace the previous pre-poured medications with new pre-poured boxes and can deliver the new medications directly to your home.

Pharmaceutical Partners

CareCo Medical can provide you with a list of local pharmacy partners from which you can choose. These pharmacies have been selected for their high quality of customer service. These services include medication pours and the free delivery of medications. In addition, if your medication changes, CareCo Medical’s pharmaceutical partners can replace the previous pre-poured medications with new pre-poured boxes and can deliver the new medications directly to your home.
A partial view of the pharmacists, showing one hand holding a prescription box and the paper script in the other hand.
A male nurse is conducting a finger prick test on the middle finger of an older woman.  She is seated and looking up at him

Testing

Advances in home medical testing make it possible for patients to learn more about their health right from the comfort of their own home. At CareCo Medical, our nurses can test for Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) and, for patients taking warfarin (Coumadin®), we can conduct the Prothrombin Time and International Normalized Ratio (PT/INR) test.
CareCo Medical

Frequently asked questions

WHAT IS HOME HEALTH CARE?

Home Health Care provides skilled health care services wherever you call home. Our HomeHealth team works collaboratively with you, your family, and your doctor to help you recover from illness, surgery, or injury, regain your independence, and become as self-sufficient as possible.

WHAT IS THE GOAL OF HOME HEALTH CARE?

• Improve your outcome; 
• Regain your independence; 
• Become as self-sufficient as possible;
• Maintain or improve your current condition or level of function;
• Slow any decline in your health status.

WHAT HOME CARE SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE?

You’ll receive the services you need based on an individual plan of care developed by your doctor with our clinical team. Some of the home health care services we offer include:
• Skilled nursing care
• Home health aides
• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Speech therapy
• Medical social work
• Pain management
• Medication management
• Wound care
• Infusion therapy
• Diabetes monitoring
• Ostomy care
• Continence Nursing

WHO WOULD BENEFIT FROM HOME HEALTH SERVICES?

You or a loved one may benefit from home health care if you:
•  Have a chronic illness such as heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease or COPD
•  Are recovering from surgery, hospitalization or illness
• Need help to get out of the house
•  Frequently visit your doctor or the hospital
•  Need education to manage your condition effectively
• Are at risk of severe illness due to COVID-19 (age 65+ or any age with an underlying condition)

HOW DO I START SERVICES?

You may be eligible to receive home health care under the Medicare benefit if:
• Your doctor prescribes and orders home health care for you.
• You need either skilled nursing care or therapy (physical/occupational/speech therapy) onan intermittent basis.
• Your condition limits your ability to leave home, rendering you “homebound.”

MY DOCTOR IS ORDERING HOME HEALTH CARE FOR ME; CAN I REQUEST CARECO MEDICAL BY NAME?

Absolutely, and we’d be honored to care for you or your loved one. Federal law gives patients the freedom to choose their health care provider.

WHEN WILL MY HOME HEALTH VISITS START?

A nurse or therapist will contact you by phone to schedule the first visit. If you’re coming from a hospital or nursing facility, the initial visit will usually happen within 24 hours after you’re discharged to make the transition easier.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT DURING MY FIRST HOME HEALTH VISIT?

On the first visit, a nurse or therapist will conduct a thorough interview and professional assessment. Our assessment identifies areas where you may benefit from education and tools to manage your health.

We partner with your doctor, as well as family and caregivers to determine the best services for your needs. This team approach actively engages you and your caregivers in your health care and, if applicable, helps to make the transition from a hospital or nursing facility to your home much easier.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING VISITS?

The frequency and type of home health visits are based on your personal plan of care. Your doctor may change your plan of care as necessary, increasing or decreasing the number of visits or services provided, in order to provide you with the best home health care for your needs.

During each visit, home health care staff will:
• Ask about your pain and work to help you manage it
• Ask you about your health and symptoms
• Check your vital signs
• Coordinate your care and communicate with you, your provider and any other care provider
• Help with your medications and teach you and your family more about them
• Provide skilled nursing, therapy and home health aide services, as needed
• Teach you how to safely take care of yourself to remain in your home.

WHO PAYS?

Medicare pays 100% of the cost of home health care services for eligible patients. Your state’s Medicaid program or your private insurance may also cover home health care.

Home health care is usually less expensive and as effective as care in a hospital or skilled nursing facility. Medicare pays 100% of the cost of home health care services for eligible patients. Your state’s Medicaid program, the VA, private pay, private insurance pay or waiver programs may also cover qualified home health care. Our team will work with you to determine your eligibility and level of coverage.

DO I QUALIFY?

After we receive a referral, a skilled clinician will come to your home and determine, based on your insurance, whether you qualify. Some, but not all, insurance requires that you are homebound to receive home care services.

Homebound means your condition is such that:
• You’re normally unable to safely leave your home without help from others and the aid of assistive devices (such as crutches, canes, walkers or wheelchairs).
• Leaving home would require considerable and taxing effort. You can generally leave home as often as you need for medical treatment that cannot be provided in the home and still be considered homebound. 
• You’re also allowed brief absences from the home for some non-medical reasons, such as an occasional trip to the barber or beauty shop, to attend church, or for unique family events (like a graduation or wedding). Such trips must be infrequent and require a considerable and taxing effort.

WHERE CAN I GET HOME HEALTH CARE?

You can receive services wherever you call home.

WHAT QUALIFIES AS A “HOME” WHEN HOME HEALTH CARE IS BEING CONSIDERED?

Your residence is wherever you call home. This may be your house, an apartment, a relative’s home, a senior community, or some other type of residence. However, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and intermediate care facilities may not be considered a “home,” which would mean we cannot provide home health services in those settings.

HOW OFTEN WILL STAFF VISIT ME?

Based on your needs and insurance coverage, your doctor and home health clinician will determine how often your home health care staff will visit you.

HOW LONG WILL I RECEIVE HOME HEALTH CARE?

Your doctor will determine the number of visits you receive, how often the visits should occur and how long they should last, based on your needs and health status.

IS HOSPITALIZATION A REQUIREMENT TO RECEIVE HOME HEALTH CARE?

No.  Hospitalization is not a requirement to receive home health care. Many patients are referred by their doctor.

WHAT ISN’T COVERED?

• Home health care staff in the home 24 hours per day
• Cleaning or personal care if these are the only care you need
• Household services such as shopping, cleaning and laundry when they are not related to your care plan.

HOW DOES CARECO MEDICAL CHOOSE AND TRAIN ITS HOME HEALTH CARE STAFF?

We thoroughly screen and train our home health team members. Patient care staff have professional licenses and certifications that are applicable to their role. We also perform background checks and require several personal and professional references. Once hired, Careco Medical employees continue honing their skills through an extensive orientation process and ongoing training programs.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HOME HEALTH CARE, HOSPICE CARE AND PERSONAL CARE?

Home health care provides skilled clinical treatment for an illness or injury, with the goal of helping you recover and regain your independence. Home health care can also help you manage a chronic condition like heart disease, COPD or diabetes. Additionally, home health care can sometimes include certain personal care services, like help bathing and dressing, as part of the plan of care ordered by your doctor.

Personal home care services include help with bathing, dressing, meal preparation or your normal activities of daily living to remain independent within your home. 

Hospice care provides compassionate, supportive care and comfort for those who are facing a terminal illness. It offers medical, social, psychological, bereavement and spiritual services that support a patient and their loved ones.

IS CARECO MEDICAL A MEDICARE CERTIFIED HOME HEALTH AGENCY?

Yes. Our home health care center is Medicare-certified. This is a requirement for Medicare to cover the cost of home health services.

WHERE DOES CARECO MEDICAL PROVIDE HOME HEALTH CARE SERVICES?

CareCo Medial covers New London County and many towns in Windhman and Middlesex Counties.