What Does Home Care
Home care offers assistance to individuals who are having a difficult time with their daily activities. Whether the senior or a new mom, home care can give the individual the peace of mind of knowing that someone is there for them. It can also help seniors stay at home, and reduce the loneliness that can come with the aging process. The services can be personalized to the needs of each person.
A home care aide can assist with the day-to-day activities of a senior, including preparing meals, cleaning the house, and getting medical appointments. There are also home health nurses, who can perform the same functions. Depending on the patient’s needs, the aide may be able to offer a variety of services, including physical therapy, wound care, and IV therapies.
In addition to helping with the day-to-day tasks of living, home caregivers can help with the emotional needs of an elderly family member. This kind of support can provide peace of mind for the caretaker, and can create meaningful friendships between the caregiver and the patient.
What Does Home Care Provide?
Whether an elderly relative is able to manage their own activities or requires assistance, a home health aide can ensure that the home is clean and safe. They can also make sure that the food is stored properly and that there are no messes in the kitchen.
While there are various types of home care, they all have one common goal: to provide more independent, happier lives to the people they serve. Home care providers can work with you and your loved ones to determine the best possible type of care.
Generally, home care is offered to people who are unable to care for themselves, or to seniors who are recovering from an accident or illness. Some families choose home care because they want to have a reliable and consistent source of help for their loved ones.
If your elderly family member is suffering from dementia, they will need a caregiver to be present in the home at all times. Home care can be especially helpful if the family member is out of state, or if a caregiver is not able to attend to all of the senior’s needs.
Depending on the individual’s medical needs, a home health aide may offer services such as pain management, IV therapies, wound care, physical therapy, and occupational therapy. Many patients can manage their medications at home with a weekly nurse visit. Having an aide to visit the patient is a great way to avoid double dosing or taking medication accidentally.
Home health aides may work in conjunction with other medical professionals to provide comprehensive care. These aides are usually licensed practical nurses, and they can assist the patient with physical and mental activity. Typically, they spend several hours a week with the patient.
Because of the costs involved, home care services can be more expensive than a regular caregiver. However, there are government programs that can help pay for some of the cost. Other options include private insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid.