Final answer:
Voluntary home health agencies offer services such as hospice care, which benefit both patients and families by allowing them to remain at home while receiving support. These agencies are often nonprofit organizations and can also be linked to governmental bodies like the Veterans Health Administration to provide specialized care.
Step-by-step explanation:
Voluntary home health agencies offer a range of services that aim to provide care in the comfort of a patient's home. These services often include hospice care, which has been shown to be beneficial for both the patient and their family. Hospice patients typically report higher levels of satisfaction, the ability to remain at home, and are not completely dependent on strangers for care. Additionally, the burden on family members is reduced as they receive emotional support and regular updates on their loved one’s condition, leading to increased family and social support.
Nonprofit health organizations, such as the Hospice Foundation of America, often run these agencies. Governmental agencies like Health and Social Services also play a role in overseeing these services, particularly for specific groups such as U.S. veterans who have access to the Veterans Health Administration. Moreover, home health agencies may also provide medical aid during times of conflict, natural disasters, and other scenarios where healthcare exclusion is a challenge.
Other sponsored programs such as Medicare and Medicaid offer health care services, and there are specialized service agencies targeted at Native Americans, Veterans, and children through programs like the Indian Health Service and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. Settlement houses have also played a part in providing healthcare, with volunteers offering a variety of services including medical care, indicating the historical and ongoing contribution of community-driven support to home health care.