Some seniors need a little help to live independently. Some older adults will benefit from home care. Home care, as the name implies, is when a caregiver or medical professional provides services directly at the patient’s house.
Home care services can be as specialized as a visit from a neurologist to more generalized ones like companionship and housekeeping. Home care professionals can help you with whatever you need to feel confident about living alone.
Home care can be divided into three main categories: personal non-medical care, private duty nursing and home health. This is a breakdown of each category.
Exploring the Various Types of Home Care
Gain insights into home care services, ranging from senior care for ageing loved ones to respite care for caregivers needing a break.
Explore the benefits of these tailored solutions designed to support individuals and families through various stages of life.
Learn how these services can provide compassionate and personalized assistance in the comfort of your own home.
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#1. Non-Medical Homecare
Personal care professionals help with basic daily tasks like cleaning and cooking. Personal care professionals are not medical doctors, but they are trained to assist those with chronic illnesses, age or disabilities in their daily lives.
#2. Service
Caregivers are hired for various reasons. Some personal care professionals are more trained than others, such as assisting elders in bathing, transferring, or cooking. Some are hired solely to be a companion.
When the option of a caregiver comes to mind, consider discussing with your loved one about the tasks they require assistance with and how many hours they would like a personal caregiver to be available each week.
If you are in search of a home caregiver, contact various companies and ask about caregiver pay rates and what to expect before deciding what type of service you may need.
#3. Cost
Non-medical care for seniors is no different. Before hiring a caregiver, older adults should shop around to compare prices. Most health insurance companies will not cover this type of untrained assistance.
Seniors are usually responsible for paying for these services themselves. Check to see if your coverage is through workers’ compensation, veterans’ insurance, or long-term health care.
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#1. Find a Caregiver
It can be stressful to let someone in your home, especially when they are performing intimate tasks such as bathing, cooking, or doing the laundry.
You’ll need to choose the right home caregiver. Here are some tips to help navigate the world non-medical personal care and find a good fit.
#2. Conduct an Interview
Personality is as important when it comes to hiring someone as a personal caregiver or companion as training and skill level.
You should choose a caregiver you will enjoy spending time and who you feel comfortable asking for assistance.
#3. Ask for Recommendations
Ask your friends who hired a caregiver who they recommend. Online community forums such as Next Door are also a great way to find recommendations for homecare services.
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#4. Check Online Reviews
Angie’s List and other websites allow customers to rate professionals, including home care professionals.
You can read about the experiences of other seniors with home care agencies or individuals. You can also see how much each service costs.
#5. Check for Certifications
A certification is not required for personal caregivers who perform generalized tasks such as cooking and housework.
If you need someone to assist with more specialized tasks, such as bathing, or helping you transfer from a car into a wheelchair, then you might want to consider a CNA or HHA.
#6. Consider A Home Care Agency
Consider contacting an agency if finding a caregiver seems difficult. These agencies can help you determine the type of caregiver you need, and they can arrange for it.
To ensure that they are hiring trustworthy caregivers, these organizations also conduct background checks and drug testing on their employees.
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#7. Give your loved ones the best care
It is not easy to care for parents who are aging. Home care services allow you to maintain a relationship with your parents while still providing the best possible care.
#8. Nursing Care
Seniors who require medical care due to a chronic illness or disability can benefit from home nursing care. Home-based nurses are registered nurses (RNs) or licensed practical nurses (LPNs).
They may assist with the basic activities of daily living but they also provide specialized medical care. For example, they might dress a wound or administer shots.
Service
In-home nurses provide a variety of services depending on their patient’s needs. Some of the tasks are quite simple, such as trimming nails, bathing assistance, or helping to administer medication.
Some tasks may require more skill, such as caring for patients with a catheter or tracheostomy. They can also facilitate the healing of long-term wounds requiring frequent dressing.
Nurses who work from home can monitor the health of patients. They can, for example, help patients develop a medication schedule or monitor bowel movements to ensure that their health is on track.
Nurses can also help train family members so that they can care for the elderly themselves. Nurses can also teach family members how to care for seniors themselves.
For those with chronic illnesses, in-home nursing can be a lifesaver.
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#9. Cost
In-home nursing can be costly because it is provided by medical professionals who are highly trained. It may be worth it for those who wish to avoid hospitalization or reduce the length.
Check with your insurance provider to see if private nursing services are covered by your plan. You may also be able to get help from your work benefits, veteran’s benefits or long-term care insurance.
#10. Find a Nurse for Your Home
It’s important to weigh your options when you are considering hiring a home nurse. Private nurses can be hired directly or through agencies. Consider these factors when choosing a nurse.
You’ll need a doctor’s order to get skilled nursing at home if you plan on using Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance. Most health insurance companies will not cover the cost of nursing services unless you have a doctor’s order.
Consider the pros and cons before deciding whether to hire a nurse through an agency or directly. While agencies tend to be more expensive, their employees have more experience in the home and have undergone a background screening.
If your nurse cancels, you can be assured that an agency will have a large pool of nurses to fill in. Some seniors prefer an independent nurse because of the flexibility and cost savings.
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#11. Home Health Care
Home health care is similar in nature to nursing, but it focuses on short-term problems such as an injury or illness. Home health care professionals include nurses as well as physical therapists and occupational therapists.
They can also be physicians, social workers, speech therapists or other doctors. Home health care is designed to assist patients in regaining their independence.
Service
A doctor must prescribe home health care. A physician will usually order home health care for a patient who has suffered a serious health event such as a heart attack or stroke.
The physician will then work with the other members of the medical team to create a care plan. Each health professional will visit the patient in their home to help with the medical care.
If a senior suffers a stroke, for example, they may need several types of medical treatment, from a speech-language pathologist to a physical-therapy specialist to a neurologist.
Most often, home health services are used to continue the care of a patient after they have been discharged from hospital.
Seniors who are recovering from a major medical event may find home health care helpful. They still require discernible care in order to reach their normal self-sufficiency levels.
Home health care can be helpful if a senior cannot drive yet after a medical event, or needs assistance in coordinating the care of dozens of medical professionals.
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Who Should Choose Homecare?
Home care can be a great benefit for seniors who value their own independence. Personal caregivers are available to help seniors with their daily chores, such as cooking, washing, and bathing.
Nurses can assist older adults who have chronic health conditions manage their issues. A home health care team can also help seniors who are recovering from serious illnesses or hospital stays. You’ll find solutions for your needs in the expanding field of homecare.
