During November, the home care community honors the many nurses, home care aides, therapists and social workers who make an incredible difference for the patients and families they serve. These heroic caregivers play a central role in our healthcare system and in the homes across the nation.
Questions About Home Care
Looking into home care for yourself or a family member can lead to numerous questions. Questions are good. Questions provide us an opportunity to gather more information, specifically oriented to our requirements. There are many different services and support systems that home care can offer individuals. The most significant population that relies on home care are aging seniors who have various health issues or physical challenges and limitations. Disabled individuals may also rely on a certain type of in-home care service.
Different Types of In-Home Care
Within the realm of home care are in-home health care services, which can include more medically oriented care. These caregivers can include visiting nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, counselors, and much more. Seniors who have numerous health issues, who may be returning home from the hospital after a stroke, heart attack, pneumonia, or other serious medical condition may rely more on the services of these individuals, but even so they will likely require home care aides as well.
The most common type of home care service would be provided by home care aides. These individuals may or may not be required to be certified, depending on the agency for which they work or the state in which they operate. For the most part, these home care aides provide numerous services and support systems to aging and disabled clients. Some of those are listed below.
Basic Care
Getting out of bed can be difficult for an elderly individual who has diminished strength in his or her legs. A home care aide can assist the senior getting out of bed, getting dressed, taking a shower or bath, and even going to the bathroom. It will all depend on the client’s specific needs and abilities to tend to his or her own basic care.
Transportation Services
As seniors get older, some may have more difficulty driving. If the senior has lost his or her right to drive, they may need a ride to a doctor’s appointment, the store, and other places around town. Some home care aides may provide these transportation services, but that will be dependent on the specific agency or independent caregiver who is hired.
Light Housekeeping
While a home care aide is definitely not a made or butler, he or she can assist with some basic light housekeeping, such as vacuuming once in a while, helping the senior do laundry, and more. This can be tremendously beneficial at keeping the home a healthy environment.
Preparing Meals
A home care aide may be tasked with preparing meals, especially if he or she is working with the senior during lunch or dinner time. They may also be responsible for helping the elderly client eat a healthy breakfast on a daily basis.
Your Partners in Health Care
These are just a few of the services and support systems that home care offers aging and disabled clients. Activa Home Health Care is available to assist with services in the home. Call today for to speak to a Home Health Specialist. 561-819-0460.
