UChicago Medicine fosters a concern for patients that extends well beyond the walls of our facilities. We have expanded our home care services to keep pace with shorter hospital stays, evolving technology, changing insurance reimbursement and a growing elderly population. For more than 20 years, our staff has striven to provide seamless, high-quality care for patients of any age, condition or stage in life. For more information, or to make a referral, please contact us at 708-331-0226

Medicare or private insurance covers many home care services. A patient qualifies for intermittent home care services under Medicare if the following criteria are met:

• He or she is under a physician's care
• A physician has ordered home care
• He or she has a need for skilled medical care
• He or she is essentially homebound

A person is considered homebound if leaving the home:

• Requires considerable and taxing effort
• Requires use of a supportive device
• Requires the assistance of another person, or special transportation or is medically inadvisable
Intermittent care brings the best possible care to your home, whether you're coping with an illness, need help after a hospitalization or find it difficult to leave home on your own. Visits are scheduled according to need, may range from daily to once a month and typically last about one hour or less.
Patients are cared for by a team that may include skilled nurses, certified home health aides, physical or occupational therapists, speech therapists, pharmacists and medical social workers.

Our staff delivers care under the direction of the patient's primary physician and develops an individualized plan of care. This team approach guarantees the best specialty care for each patient as provided by skilled adult and pediatric nurses, medical social workers, mental health nurses, physical therapists and additional staff.

Special Services

Comprehensive care is available for patients recovering from heart bypass surgery, valve surgery, heart attack and congestive heart failure. After-care and education for both patients and caregivers are key components of our in-home cardiac care.
Thorough education is provided to patients and caregivers following a diagnosis of diabetes. We instruct patients and their families on foot care, diet, how to give insulin injections and how to monitor blood sugar to maintain good health.

Patients who need IV antibiotics, pain management and other complex infusion therapies that no longer require inpatient care may receive at-home infusion services. Services are coordinated and delivered by registered nurses specializing in a broad range of intravenous (IV) medications, including antibiotics, anti-nausea medication, hydration, pain management, total parenteral nutrition and central line maintenance.

Lymphedema occurs when normal drainage of the lymphatic fluid is interrupted. Although there are cases when lymphedema has spontaneously resolved and never recurred, for most patients it is a chronic problem requiring an ongoing effort to control. A treatment plan is based on evaluation by one of our specially trained therapists and may include one or more of the following elements: skin care, massage, exercise, bandaging, compression garments and medication.
Home care visits are an available accommodation that can be ordered by a physician for mothers who have had a difficult delivery, or babies with special health concerns. Care is available for low-birth-weight infants, as well as infants who have feeding difficulties or who fail to thrive.
A full range of pediatric home care services are available. Services are directed by the child's pediatrician and carefully integrated into a plan based on the specific needs and health issues of the child.
Education and care are available for patients and caregivers before and after major joint replacement surgeries. If needed, physical therapy, occupational therapy and gait re-training services are available to help the patient recover safely and comfortably.

Our wound care team is dedicated to restoring and maintaining each patient's ability to heal from chronic or non-healing wounds and prevent suffering and loss of function.

Our wound care team consists of a certified RN/wound specialist who coordinates a team of nurses trained and skilled in current wound and ostomy care therapies. This enables patients to receive education on the healing process, nutrition, hydration, medications and more.

Consultations and referrals are available to advanced wound centers.

On Call Medical Solutions

On Call Medical Solutions, an affiliate, offers three kinds of services:
We provide highly qualified RNs, LPNs and CNAs to fill shift assignments in hospitals, skilled long-term care facilities, and retirement villages to cover any potential staffing shortages. Our staff holds the skill levels necessary to deliver quality care in such specialized areas such as ventilator care, tracheostomy care, telemetry, medical/surgical and critical care.

We provide assistance at home for long-term home care situations. Our services include skilled private duty nursing, help with bathing and taking medications, light housekeeping, or even taking a dog for grooming. We'll send the appropriate level of care to fit any need.

Additional services include homemakers to assist with chores such as cooking, laundry and grocery shopping. Sitters are able to stay with someone who cannot be left alone, while nurses and nurses aides help in areas that require medical assistance such as medications and ventilators. Our home health aides assist patients with personal care needs such as bathing and dressing.

If you or your family are unsure of what level of care is needed, one of our professionally trained certified case managers will conduct a complete personal assessment and develop a comprehensive care plan.

This affordable service is staffed with case managers trained to provide solutions for individuals who live alone, widowed, require family crisis management or need additional special care. Case managers conduct a complete personal assessment, develop and implement an individualized care plan, monitor client's progress, recommend environmental adaptations and provide the client with available resources regarding insurance, billing, housing, and legal issues.

Volunteer Opportunities

Our dedicated staff of volunteers offer invaluable assistance by: providing support to patients and families, running light errands, filing, answering phones and other clerical duties, preparing bereavement mailings and contributing bereavement support and staffing information desks. 

If you would like to become a volunteer, please call 708-331-1360.