What is in home care? It’s a service provided that gives you or your loved one needed care inside the home. There is no need to move into a nursing home, assisted care facility or residential group home where there are several patients that attending to. In home care services aren’t just for the elderly; younger people who are living with the aftereffects of permanent injuries or illness can also benefit, allowing them to continue living in the comfort of their home and among family.
When you or a loved one begins needing the assistance of a trained professional to achieve the activities of daily living, you shouldn’t have to worry about needed to go to a facility, especially if there isn’t a need for skilled nursing care. The patient may only need non-medical assistance, such as light housekeeping and meal preparation. However, if the patient is getting older, he or she might need help with preparing and taking several medications each day.
Should the person needing care be younger and disabled as the result of an accident or illness, but still able to handle several activities of daily living, a visiting professional can help with these needs by providing in home care services. Social workers and nurses count the following as activities of daily living:
º Brushing teeth
º Combing hair
º Getting dressed independently
º Taking showers and completing basic hygiene
º Making meals
º Taking prescribed medications as ordered
When a social worker or medical professional is told that your family member needs help at home, they will interview you or another close family member, the person needing care and other concerned persons to find out just what is needed in the home.
Providing assistance in the home will cost less than admission to a residential facility – and the patient gets to stay at home with those who love them. This ensures the physical, emotional, cognitive and spiritual needs are being met at home, which is much more beneficial for them.
While the patient is no longer able to do everything they used to do, they will benefit from having a sense of independence at home. This is something that would be lost, should they be admitted to an inpatient facility.
It shouldn’t matter if one is 19 years old or 79 years old. If help is needed with some activities, but not enough for a skilled nursing facility or nursing home, in home care services can be prescribed by the doctor.
Once a person recovers to the point where they can be discharged to a rehabilitation center, the doctor and a discharge planner will meet with interested persons to talk about the short- and long-term prognosis.
The doctor will tell you that, if the patient will be left with permanent injuries that affect their ability to function fully, these services might be the most appropriate way of helping them to adjust to their new life. Discussing all options is always best before making decisions.
Dee is an office manager and is also responsible for maintaining financial records at her company. She does freelance writing/blogging on the side and enjoys ghost writing as well.
In my own experience, getting a cleaner who will look after housekeeping that extends to washing laundry and ironing can make a big difference in maintaining independence and keeping positive. It can also be a social occasion if they get on with the person they are working for and children of elderly parents can be reassured that someone is there on days that they are not.