WHAT ARE HOME HEALTH CARE SERVICES?
If you’re reading this article, it’s because you or your aging loved one needs some assistance in managing activities of daily living (ADLs).
Home care services bridge this critical care gap for the aged. Professional caregiving entails the provision of supportive care within a patient’s domicile.
When you sign up for this kind of program, the caregiver brings health and supportive care to your doorstep. The approach to health care provision is different to the traditional approach, where supportive care for the elderly was only available in group accommodations like nursing homes.
You no longer have to worry about the potential of separation from your loved ones as you approach old age. Now that you understand the dynamics around home care services let’s delve deeper into the different types of in home health care.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF HOME HEALTH CARE SERVICES
When looking for home health care services, you need to consider the different forms available. This knowledge will help guide your decision on the best plan for you or your loved one. So what are the different types of health care services?
DOCTOR CARE
A doctor care plan refers to a service where a qualified doctor visits a patient on a routine basis. 69% of Americans aged 65 years and above will develop some form of disability before they die. Such patients may not adapt well to life with underlying disabilities without cardinal support from a qualified doctor.
Doctor care is among the more advanced options when providing home-based support. Do you or a close relative have underlying health conditions that require special attention?
You no longer need to worry about accessing health care support. Home-based physician care is among the specialized in-home services you should consider.
NURSING CARE
Nursing care is one of the most common home health care services today. Individuals aged 65 or older could consider this option given the extent of stability and fluidity it introduces. Once you sign up for this option, the caregiver, who is a registered nurse, takes up the responsibility of offering extra support for daily living activities.
The registered nurse provides hourly nursing care at home for the patient around the clock. This alternative is healthcare-based, which means it’s suitable for patients with chronic illnesses, injury, or disability.
Nursing care covers wound dressing, ostomy care, and any other general health care support you might need. Just like physician home care, nursing care focuses more on providing specialized support. Our team of expert nurses offers you specialized care for all your health and social-psycho care needs.
CARE FROM HOME HEALTH AIDES
This form of home health care service focuses more on daily living activities for persons aged 65 years and over. Home health aides don’t offer specialized healthcare considering that most helpers aren’t qualified healthcare providers. However, these home health aides can help with getting out of bed, walking, or grooming.
Have you approached the dependency stage and wonder how to access home-based care?
If you wonder what options for home health care services you might have, then care from home health aides is worth your top-dollar. This in-home health care option may also include specialized programs from aides with advanced training in basic nursing care.
OCCUPATION AND PHYSICAL THERAPY
When you start to age, you might need additional therapeutic support, especially when dealing with injury or illness. Such health issues may require a process of relearning certain motor skills to help you manage the most basic movements. You could benefit from the services of a specialized therapist.
The best part is that you don’t need to visit a clinic or a health facility for these services. Home-based occupational therapy can help you in the journey towards an improved quality of life. This kind of service also helps the elderly find meaning in life as they engage in day-to-day tasks.
HOME-BASED SPEECH THERAPY
One of the frustrating outcomes of old age is the gradual loss of speech. However, the elderly may need to converse with those around them to ensure that they communicate their needs and thoughts. The loss of speech due to surgery, mental disorders, or a stroke can be a frustrating outcome.
However, one of the common health care services at your disposal is home-based speech therapy. The service helps you improve your ability to swallow while also strengthening your vocal cords. With this home-based support, you’ll also achieve the enhanced capability to understand speech.
NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT
With age comes the complexities of proper feeding. Have you been struggling with meal plans and diets? A home-based dietician can help you through the management of your nutrition program. The specialist handles all your dietary assessments and advises you on any necessary improvements in the comfort of your home.