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What Happens If You Refuse Home Health Care?
Date Updated: December 16, 2024
Written by:
With over a decade of dedicated experience, Andrea Miller boasts an extensive background in healthcare writing and editing. Her expertise spans various facets of the healthcare industry, with a particular focus on nursing, senior care, Alzheimer’s disease, and public health. Andrea has also contributed her editorial talents to reputable publishers in the Philadelphia region, complementing her extensive freelance work.
Reviewed by:
Dr. Brindusa Vanta is a health care professional, researcher, and an experienced medical writer (2000+ articles published online and several medical ebooks). She received her MD degree from “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine, Romania, and her HD diploma from OCHM – Toronto, Canada.
If you refuse home health care, your medical team must respect your wishes. Even if your family members disagree, you can make personal choices about your care. You have the right to deny consent unless the court determines you lack the mental capacity to make this decision for yourself.
Why Do Seniors Refuse Home Health Care?
Seniors refuse home health care for various reasons. Many fear losing their independence or privacy. They feel they may have less control over their lives or become a burden on others. They might not understand the types of help offered by home care providers. Often, home health care services give older adults a greater sense of independence by providing the support they need to age in place.
What Are the Risks of Refusing Home Health Care?
The risks of refusing home care depend on your medical needs. If you often forget to take your medications, you could miss doses or take more than you meant to take. Either situation may have serious health consequences. If you're prone to falling, refusing the care you need could result in a serious injury. In addition, a 2022 study found that individuals with advanced heart failure who enrolled in home health care after hospital discharge had a much lower risk of hospital readmissions compared to patients who declined home care.
What Are the Alternatives to Home Health Care?
Alternatives to home health care include:
- Assisted living care: Assisted living communities help seniors with activities of daily living in a residential setting.
- Nursing home care: Nursing home facilities offer help with ADLS but include skilled nursing services, such as wound care.
Adult day programs: Adult day programs support older adults who want to remain at home but prefer not to have care providers visit.