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Understanding Homecare Oxygen Therapy: What You Need to Know as a Patient


homecare oxygen therapy

If you've recently been told you need home oxygen therapy, you may feel overwhelmed, unsure, or even confused about what that means — and what happens next. You're not alone.


At Respocare, we understand how important clear, honest information is. We’re here to walk you through what home oxygen therapy really involves, what equipment you’ll be using, how it’s funded, and how we make the entire process seamless and stress-free for you and your family.


What Is Homecare Oxygen Therapy?


Homecare oxygen therapy is a medical treatment prescribed by a doctor for people who can’t get enough oxygen into their lungs on their own. It’s commonly used for chronic conditions like:


  • COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)

  • Emphysema

  • Pulmonary fibrosis

  • Heart failure

  • Long COVID or other long-term respiratory illnesses


If your oxygen levels are too low, your body struggles to function. Oxygen therapy helps correct this, allowing you to breathe more easily, feel less fatigued, and avoid complications that could lead to hospitalisation.


Important note: Home oxygen therapy is not something you can request or change based on preference. It must be prescribed by a doctor. The specific equipment you receive is based on your medical need — not your personal lifestyle or convenience.



The Role of the Doctor's Script


The very first step in receiving oxygen therapy is getting a prescription (script) from your treating doctor or specialist. This is not optional. The script will detail:


  • Your required oxygen flow rate (e.g., 2 LPM)


  • How long you need to use oxygen per day (e.g., during sleep or 24/7)


  • Whether you need oxygen while resting, walking, sleeping, or all three


Once Respocare receives this script, we handle everything else for you.




What Equipment Will I Receive?


The cornerstone of home oxygen therapy is the stationary oxygen concentrator.


1. Stationary Oxygen Concentrator (Your Main Device)


This is a medical-grade machine that sits in your home and provides a constant supply of oxygen. At Respocare, we typically provide the DeVilbiss 5L Concentrator, which delivers up to 5 liters of oxygen per minute.


It is called “stationary” because:


  • It plugs into a wall and stays in one place (like your bedroom or lounge)


  • It delivers continuous flow oxygen, which is necessary for most medical conditions


  • It is considered the primary device for your oxygen therapy


Please note: This is the key component of your treatment. It is based on your prescription and cannot be swapped or replaced with a portable device. Using the wrong type of device can result in under-treatment or serious health risks.




Understanding Portable Oxygen Devices and Cylinders


Once you’re set up with your stationary concentrator, you may ask:“Can I move around or leave the house with oxygen?”


Yes — that’s where portable oxygen comes in.


2. Portable Oxygen (Designed for Mobility, Not Replacement)


Portable oxygen is designed to give you freedom of movement outside the home — for errands, appointments, or social activities. However, it is:


  • Supplementary to your main therapy


  • Designed to deliver oxygen when you inhale (not continuously)


  • Limited by battery life or cylinder pressure


You may be given:


  • A small oxygen cylinder with a regulator


  • A portable oxygen concentrator (pulse-dose only)


However, many patients mistakenly believe they can use portable oxygen alone. This is incorrect. Portable oxygen does not replace your stationary concentrator and may not meet your full oxygen needs, especially if you require continuous flow.



Cylinders: Backup or Mobile Use Only


Oxygen cylinders are:


  • High-pressure tanks that store compressed oxygen


  • Used when the concentrator is unavailable (e.g., power outages) or for short trips


  • Strictly regulated and must be stored and used safely


Cylinders are not suitable for long-term or overnight use, and cannot provide the same controlled oxygen delivery as a concentrator.



What If I’m on Medical Aid?


Great news: if you're on medical aid in South Africa, Respocare handles the entire process for you — including dealing with your scheme.

Here’s how it works:


  • We obtain the doctor’s script and submit all necessary paperwork.


  • We handle all pre-authorisations on your behalf.


  • We deliver, install, and service the equipment at no cost to you.


  • We work with all major South African medical aids and are a preferred supplier.


  • This service is covered under your chronic benefit, meaning there are:

    • No co-payments

    • No out-of-pocket expenses


Everything — from the oxygen device, to servicing, to support — is included.




Why Choose Respocare?


At Respocare, we’re not just delivering a machine — we’re delivering a critical therapy, and we treat it with the clinical precision and personal care it deserves.

As South Africa’s trusted home oxygen therapy provider, we are known for one thing: unmatched service and value.


We support patients and specialists alike — because we understand that oxygen therapy is not only a medication, but also a service that demands urgency, quality, and care.


Here’s what makes Respocare different:


  • Medical-grade, FDA-approved equipment that meets international standards


  • Every device is cleaned, serviced, and tested before delivery — no exceptions


  • Local technical support and servicing for fast turnarounds and minimal disruption


  • A 24/7 troubleshooting line — because if your concentrator isn’t working, neither are we


  • Emergency backup solutions for power failures, equipment faults, or clinical escalations


  • Tailored oxygen solutions — whether it's advanced portable options or cylinder planning, we consult with you to get it right


  • A dedicated authorization team to handle your medical aid approvals, paperwork, and follow-ups


  • A complete clinical consultation process, to ensure that your prescription translates into the correct setup, without error or delay


Whether you’re a patient starting oxygen therapy for the first time, or a specialist looking for a reliable partner, Respocare is your homecare oxygen team.


We are the homecare guys — and our priority is service. That means responsiveness, compliance, support, and clear communication from start to finish.


Our goal is simple: To deliver value through service — and to make sure you never have to worry about your oxygen therapy again.



In Summary: What You Need to Know as a Patient


  1. Oxygen therapy is a medical treatment, prescribed by your doctor.

  2. Your main oxygen device will be a stationary oxygen concentrator — not a portable unit.

  3. Portable oxygen helps you stay mobile but cannot replace your main machine.

  4. If you are on medical aid, Respocare handles everything — with no cost to you.

  5. We support you from the day you’re referred, through to setup, training, and ongoing care.



Ready to Get Started?


If your doctor has recommended home oxygen, or if you’re confused about how it works, let Respocare guide you through the process.


Visit www.respocare.co.za or call us directly to speak with one of our oxygen therapy consultants.


We’re here to help you breathe easier — safely, confidently, and at no extra cost.

 
 
 
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