Grace Wilkinson, Tama County Public Health & Home Care client, with Penny Tyynismaa RN. Grace said she is very happy with the Home Health Aide services she receives, and Penny “is so good”. She said she feels the services have been the reason she is still able to live in her own home. -Photo provided

November is National Home Health Care month. Home Health Care is ever evolving with changes that take place to help people stay in their homes longer. Tama County Public Health & Home Care is a local agency that assists people with medication management, wound care, in-home therapy, bathing and housekeeping, to name a few of the many services provided. Depending on clients needs, the agency works with their clients doctors to set up a plan for services, with insurance companies or family members to determine what resources can be used to pay for these services.

“My mom wasn’t able to get in and out of the bathtub on her own anymore, we talked with one of the nurses and we were able to have a home care aid come in her home a couple times of the week to help her with this” says Lori Johnson, Assistant Director/CFO.

“We have had several changes this fiscal year with moving from ICD 9 to ICD10 diagnosis coding and are now working through the process to become credentialed with the four Managed Care Organizations with Medicaid Modernization,” states Linda Rosenberger, CEO/Executive Director. “We work with local health care providers to determine what is the best way that we can meet our patients needs.”

Tama County Public Health & Home Care started in 1967 with a grant to establish public health services in Tama County. On Nov. 18, Tama County Public Health and Home Care celebrated 48 years of providing home health care in Tama County.

Tama County Public Health & Home Care is Medicare/Medicaid certified and can also provide physical, occupational and speech therapy in the home.

Anyone can make a referral to home care. Call TCPH & HC directly at 641-484-4788 or 866-484-4788. The number is answered 24 hours every day of the year