Home health care is temporary medical care taken from licensed physicians and requires only a signed medical order from such a physician. This kind of care can help older adults recuperate at home from an ongoing serious health condition. It is also usually less costly, more convenient, and sometimes just as effective as ongoing care in a hospital or skilled nursing home (Nursing home.) The term home health care refers to services provided by licensed personnel to provide services to and for the patients in the home. This arrangement allows patients to recover in their own environment at their own pace and in their own time. Autumn Care Assisted Living providing services to older adults that can help them deal with life’s inconveniences and stresses without having to leave the security and familiarity of their homes.
In-home care services for older adults generally offer two specific kinds of services: personal care and geriatric care. Personal care is usually referred to as helping the older adult to maintain a healthy self-image and maintain independence. They may give massages, help with walking, take over diaper changing or preparing meals, and perform other personal grooming tasks. Geriatric care involves specialized medical and nursing assistance geared toward providing the much-needed support for an elderly adult. These specialized services include physical therapy, medication management, and disease education and management. Some home health care services for geriatric care also offer nutrition consultation and assistance with grocery shopping, cooking, shopping, transportation, bathing, dressing, and daily hygiene activities.
There are several benefits to hiring a home caregiver. One is that the older adult is not alone in the home; there are usually at least two other people who are willing and able to help in case of a medical emergency. Another benefit is that a home health care agency can provide extra companionship for these individuals when they need it most-such as on weekend trips or vacation breaks. Finally, older adults tend to feel more comfortable in the presence of another adult, which is why many homes offer a sitter for the older adult during certain times of the week, such as in the evenings.
Although a sitter may not be needed all the time, getting dressed for a day in (or around) one’s own home can be quiet challenging-especially when one needs to get dressed quickly and have someone to assist with getting dressed. Many elderly adults suffer from various physical disabilities that make getting dressed difficult and do not enjoy spending time in the bathroom or doing household chores. The presence of a personal care companion can often significantly ease some of the elderly adult’s concerns about bathroom usage or getting dressed.
There are a few things that an in-home care provider should do for seniors when providing home care services. First, they should make sure that all household chores are completed-no forgetting anything. Second, they should help with getting the senior involved in daily activities-something that the senior may be resistant to doing. Lastly, they should make sure that the senior is fed well and that their sleeping habits are conducive to good health. No one wants their seniors to suffer from sleep deprivation or the physical effects of age.
When providing home care, the caregiver should always provide the necessary accompaniment. As mentioned earlier, a sitter may be necessary during certain times of the week, but the caregiver should also consider having a companion come in daily. This is particularly important for those seniors who live alone. While everyone needs to take household chores seriously, it is especially critical for seniors to have someone they can depend on to check on them and help with getting dressed. Having a companion will also give the senior someone to talk to during meal times, whether they choose to engage in conversation or not-another valuable service that a sitter usually cannot provide.
It is important to remember that while the goal of in-home care for an older adult may be noble, the ultimate responsibility for a senior still lies with the senior adult. While it is good to have an adult to assist in the care of an elderly loved one, it is equally imperative that the older adult takes responsibility for making sure that they are maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This means watching what they eat and exercising regularly. If the senior in-home care finds that they are no longer able to do these things on their own, then they should be encouraged to consult a medical health professional, just as they would when they first begin to notice a change in their health.
Many in-home care services offer medication reminders. This ensures that the caregiver knows when it is time to administer medicine to a senior. Medication reminders can be a very valuable service for senior citizens who need help managing their medications and remaining healthy. While it is important for everyone to take personal care of themselves, it is even more important for seniors to do so to live as long as possible.