They are considered homebound because of being able to leave home only for relatively short periods and infrequently due to the need to receive medical treatment or, occasionally, for nonmedical purposes such as a haircut, or a short drive to get out in the fresh air. In addition, the client must also be receiving a skilled service such as nursing or physical therapy in the home as well.

The nurse will develop a home health aide care plan and review it with the aide that will be providing the services. The plan of care will specify how many home health aide visits per week are necessary to provide hands-on personal care (bathing, dressing, grooming, care of hair, nails, and skin; oral hygiene; feeding, assistance with toileting/elimination needs, assistance with transfers and ambulation, changing position in bed.) The aide may also change bed linens, prepare a meal, take out the trash, perform light cleaning such as kitchen clean up after meal preparation.

As the patient recovers from their illness/injury, the number of home health aide visits per week are reduced as appropriate with the goal of the client achieving the highest level of independent function possible.