While aging happens differently for everyone, there are some common tasks that typically need assistance. Home health care provides general personal care such as helping with bathing, dressing, cooking, cleaning, and incontinence. Individuals receiving home health care services might also need help moving into a different position or getting gentle exercise. Home health care helps anyone, young and old, live independently for as long as possible, even those without injury or illness. This can include skilled nursing, as well as physical, occupational, and speech therapy.
What Is Home Health Care?
Types of Home Health Care
Medical Home Health Care
This type of home care is provided by a medical professional and is often called skilled care. Medical home health care includes wound care, speech, occupational and physical therapy. It also includes caregiver and patient education, nutrition, and injection therapy. Medical care must be prescribed by a doctor, and daily activities are not included in this type of care.
Non-medical Home Health Care
Non-medical care includes assistance with daily activities such as bathing and washing hair, getting dressed, preparing meals, exercising, providing transportation to shops and doctors, and housekeeping. This type of home care supports all personal needs, along with being a companion to keep the client from becoming lonely.
Benefits of Home Health Care
The biggest benefit is that it allows seniors to receive care in the comfort of their own homes. This helps improve their emotional, mental, and physical health while reducing loneliness as well. Patients form bonds with their care aides, who become like family to them due to the many hours they spend together.
What to Expect
When a new patient signs up for medical home health care, a registered nurse will meet with the family and the patient at home to find out what services are needed. Then, a detailed and personalized care plan is drawn up. This first meeting assists in matching a care aide with the correct skills, personality, and schedule compatibility. The process for medical care and non-medical care is very similar. The care aide and the patient work together to decide the days and times needed for the care aide to be in the home. The care aide also acts as a liaison between the patient and their medical team.
How to Find Home Health Care
First, visit medicare.gov to find and compare local providers. They provide information on both quality and patient survey ratings. Alternatively, ask your doctor for a referral as he will have experience with agencies. When calling an agency ask them the following questions:
- Will a registered nurse come to your home and develop a personalized care plan?
- Can the care aide consult directly with your doctor?
- Will the agency enquire if you are eligible for any benefits that can save you money?
Who needs home health care?
It is not only seniors who need care aides. There is a need in all age ranges, including pediatrics or people who have been injured on the job. Here are some questions to answer if you are not sure if your loved one needs a care aide:
- Do they store their food safely and throw it away when it is no longer edible?
- If the phone rings, is your loved one able to answer it?
- Do they clean up after they have cooked and eaten their meals?
- Are they bathing themselves, washing their hair, and wearing clean clothes?
- Do they wash their dishes and pack them away?
- Is your loved one attending family events?
If you have answered ‘no’ to any of the above-mentioned questions, you may need to start looking into your options for home health care.
Challenges
Finding the right fit for a care aide is important. It can take some time for clients to adjust to having a stranger come to take care of them.
Additional Information: How Do I Select the Right Home Care Provider?
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Nye Health Services is passionate about providing older adults with a wide range of wellness and health services that maximize health and well-being. If you are searching for a senior living community, explore one of our five locations in eastern Nebraska. Each campus provides award-winning health and wellness services, comfortable apartments and/or suites, and numerous amenities to help you live 2022 to the fullest! Contact us today to learn more about what sets Nye apart or to schedule a tour of a community near you!
For additional information about Nye Home Health Care visit us at nyehomehealthcare.com