There really is no "typical" home health patient. Besides the very specific medical needs of each patient, one must also consider the patients' unique family and support situation and individual home environment.

The following are some family common situations that may require home health care services.

• Recent discharge from the hospital or extended care facility.
• Multiple diagnoses or medical complications.
• High risk disorders.
• Frequent hospitalization or emergency room visits.
• Acute episode of chronic illness.
• Multiple medications requiring instruction.
• Pain management.
• IV Therapy.
• On-going treatment: catheters, tube feeding, ostomy.
• Acute impaction requiring enema, disimpaction, and bowel program.
• Wound care requiring treatment, suture removal.
• Nutritional deficiencies requiring diet instruction.
• Unstable vital signs.
• New diagnosis requiring instruction.
• Terminal illness.

Patients must be homebound (leaving the home would require a considerable and taxing effort).