Home care refers to a range of services provided in the home to individuals who need assistance due to aging, disability, illness, or recovery from surgery. The goal of home care is to enable the person to remain at home, rather than use residential, long-term, or institutional-based nursing care. Home care services can include medical and non-medical care and life assistance services. Here’s a breakdown of what home care typically entails:
Medical Home Health Care: This includes professional health care services provided in the home by licensed professionals, such as:
- Nursing Care: The most common form of home health care, which can include wound dressing, ostomy care, intravenous therapy, administering medication, monitoring the general health of the patient, pain control, and other health support.
- Physical, Occupational, or Speech Therapy: Therapists visit the home to provide therapy services to aid in recovery and improve quality of life through rehabilitative exercises and activities.
- Medical Social Services: Medical social workers provide various services to the patient, including counseling and locating community resources to help the patient in his or her recovery.
- Home Health Aide: Support with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as dressing, bathing, and hygiene, typically under the supervision of a nurse.
Non-Medical Home Care: These services are provided by caregivers, and do not require a medical license:
- Personal Care: Assistance with daily activities such as bathing, eating, dressing, and using the bathroom.
- Homemaker or Basic Assistance Care: Help with cooking, cleaning, running errands, and shopping.
- Companionship: Providing social interaction, supervision, and activities to keep the individual engaged.
- Respite Care: Temporary relief to those who are caring for family members, which might include companionship as well as care.
Specialized Home Care: Some agencies offer specialized services for individuals with specific health conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, end-of-life care (hospice), or chronic illnesses.
Home care services can be provided on a part-time, full-time, or round-the-clock basis, depending on the needs of the individual. The services can be short-term for individuals recovering from a surgery or an acute condition, or long-term for those needing ongoing assistance.
The benefits of home care include the comfort of remaining in a familiar environment, personalized care tailored to the needs of the individual, and support for family members managing caregiving responsibilities. Home care can be a viable option for those who need assistance but wish to maintain a certain level of independence.