Home Care Program

The mission of our SVH Home Care Program is to care for those who need medical services in their home. We embrace this mission with all the professional, ethical and business responsibilities such a service implies. Our vision is a Home Care Department wherein each individual patient is our primary reason for being here; each patient’s care, well-being and dignity is orchestrated in such a way as to serve as a process of renewal for him or her; where each of our employees is accountable and responsible and works collaboratively with all others to create a positive work environment; and where each employee’s level of professional maturity is demonstrated through his or her dedication to the vitality of our collective spirit and passion for our mission. We’re here for the people in the community. What we do keeps people out of the hospital. We teach how to help people be as independent as they can be.

Barbara Lee, RN MSN, Director of Home Care

Sonoma Valley Hospital Home Care Program is a State licensed, Medicare Certified, Joint Commission accredited service that provides skilled, intermittent, medically necessary care to patients home-bound with an injury or illness, as prescribed by their physician. This enables them to receive the care they need, delivered by medical professionals, in the place where they are most secure at–home.

The goal of Home Care is to help you and your family through your recovery. This may include:

Nursing to assist you with medication management, wound care or disease management
Physical or occupational therapy to improve your safety and strength
Speech therapy for swallowing and speech difficulties
Medical social work for assessment and referrals
Certified Home Health Aides for personal care

Our Team:

Our professional healthcare staff, which includes registered nurses, therapists, social workers, and home health aides, makes over 1,000 visits a month. They provide direct care to the patient and work with the patient’s family or caregivers to teach them the skills they need to follow a care plan.

While nursing services form the backbone of the program, many other services are coordinated so that patients not requiring acute hospital care can be effectively treated and monitored in the comfort of their homes. Our Home Health Team emphasizes patient satisfaction in all they do.

Our Services:

Home care is different from private caregivers. We do not come daily or stay for long periods. Our visits are typically 30-45 minutes in length and focus on treatments and teaching. All of our care is individualized to your needs.

Each service must be ordered by your physician. We offer:

Nursing care from registered nurses who provide skilled assessment and teaching, Home IV therapy, medication management, Enterostomal therapy, wound care, pain management, nutrition counseling and disease management.
Assistance from medical social workers who provide assessment, counseling and resources assistance.
Rehabilitation care from physical, occupational and speech therapists.
Personal care assistance from home health aides.

How to Pay:

We accept: Medicare, Medi-Cal, Private insurance, Workers’ Comp, Veterans’ Administration, Self Pay. The agency will bill the patient’s insurance source directly. The patient or responsible party will receive a bill only when a portion of a bill is not paid by insurance (i.e. deductibles and co-insurance payments).
Home care costs qualify as medical expenses and are tax-deductible, within certain limits, from federal income tax.

To Qualify for Our Home Care:

You must need nursing or rehabilitation service.
You must be homebound.
You must have the service ordered by your physician.
If you have Medicare insurance, you must be homebound to qualify for our services. This means that it is difficult and taxing for you to leave your home and that you need assistance to do so. Skilled home care services are covered by most insurance.

Helpful Information about Home Care

On the first link below, you’ll find helpful information for new Home Care patients. You will also find links to documents describing the privacy practices of the Home Care Program, and the privacy policies of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

CMS Statement of Patient Privacy Rights (English)