Does the whole catheter have to be changed? I would ask his urologist or PCP or doctor responsible for treating the issue requiring a catheter if this can be done at home (I'm not sure it can). If it can, though, the doctor can write a script for home care, but it'll have to be specific so a care agency you select has a nurse who can change a catheter. I'm not familiar with this being done at home and not sure what's involved.
You're not referring to just changing the bag, are you?
Is your husband a Veteran? If so there is a program through the VA called Home Based Primary Care. Once he is on / in the system he will have care at home doctor, nurse, social worker. If he has a life limiting condition and if Hospice is a possibility they would also have someone that could do that as well in your home. If neither of these options are possible his doctor can order home care for this. If that is not an option getting a medical transport to take him to appointments might be last resort. This should be covered but if not, as a medical expense would be deducted when you do your taxes. Also depending on the reason for the catheter there are external ones (sometimes called a condom catheter). Leaving a catheter in is risky due to a much higher rate of bladder infections and this is something that should be discussed with his doctor.
My father is home bound as well. Ask his physician if there are nurses/doctor that do home visits. My father just had a nurse come to the house and she will do follow ups approximately every three months.
If a person is bedridden or otherwise homebound, and has a need for "skilled" services (e.g. nursing care, physical therapy), then the doctor can refer the patient to home health services and Medicare will pay for it. Such services are usually widely available in metro areas and also most rural areas. Many home health agencies also are certified to provide hospice services.
This is different from having a doctor or nurse practitioner come to the house for a medical visit. Those services are much harder to come by, because most clinics find it hard to break even while accepting Medicare payments for house calls.
Here's how I handle doctor visits with my bedridden and immobile hubby: we rented a patient lift, called a "Get U Up". He is strapped into it. It works on hydraulic power and I have to pump the handle to lift him. Then I can get him into the wheelchair. We have a handicap ramp so I can get him down it and to the community sponsored bus which takes us to his doctor and then brings us back. The only glitch is that I can't get him back up. The ramp is steep and he's a big guy. We have to rely on our son to come over and help. We have put in for an electric wheelchair which should be able to get him back up the ramp. In answer to your question, I would definitely ask for a visiting nurse to come out. Medicare covers this.
I worked as a secretary for a VNA. Our nurses did catheters all the time. Your doctor needs to write an order for this to a homecare agency. Where I live the Homecare agency and Hospice are the same.
You're not referring to just changing the bag, are you?
If neither of these options are possible his doctor can order home care for this. If that is not an option getting a medical transport to take him to appointments might be last resort. This should be covered but if not, as a medical expense would be deducted when you do your taxes.
Also depending on the reason for the catheter there are external ones (sometimes called a condom catheter). Leaving a catheter in is risky due to a much higher rate of bladder infections and this is something that should be discussed with his doctor.
This is different from having a doctor or nurse practitioner come to the house for a medical visit. Those services are much harder to come by, because most clinics find it hard to break even while accepting Medicare payments for house calls.
Good luck!
See All Answers