Home Care Services for Adults

Many older adults want to maintain a level of independence even if they suffer from serious illnesses. Therefore, they opt for home care services instead of going to nursing homes or other extended-care facilities. A range of services may be provided in the home, including medical care, physical therapy, housekeeping and running errands. These services can be provided on short- or long-term basis.

General Health Care

• General home health care services include medical evaluations given by nurses or physician assistants. Medical doctors or insurance companies recommend professionals who specialize in performing home care services. They perform physical assessments and diagnostic examinations, tend wounds and change surgical dressings, create nutrition plans and administer medication. Clients have the option of requesting short-term care after surgery or long-term care for chronic illnesses.

Physical Therapy

• Physical therapists provide therapeutic services to adults with limited mobility because of injuries. They give the same treatments patients receive at a doctor's office, using the same equipment. Therapists help patients improve their range of motion and strength, and decrease physical pain. They also teach caretakers how to provide treatment for their loved ones.

Occupational Therapy

• Occupational therapy consists of some of the same treatments as physical therapy, such as increasing a patient's range of motion. Occupational therapy, though, concentrates on giving adults the ability to independently carry out their daily activities after suffering from strokes, neurological disorders and accidents. Therapists teach clients how to put on their clothes, eat and bathe on their own. They also create exercise routines for clients to do by themselves.

Daycare

• Senior daycare services involves the use of specially-trained personnel who stay with home-bound patients whose caregivers work during the day or just need a break from their duties. Senior sitters play games with clients, cook and clean, and help with household duties like cooking and cleaning. Some daycare workers only perform basic tasks while others specialize in working with patient's with Alzheimer's disease.

Transportation Services

• Transportation services help patients who no longer have the ability to drive. Drivers bring clients to the grocery store, doctor's appointments and social activities. Independent home care companies provide transportation as part of their services. Local bus systems and taxis sometimes offer free or reduced fairs to senior citizens.

Hygiene and Housework

• Home care workers help patients with limited mobility care for their personal hygiene, including bathing, dressing, shaving and diaper changes if they are bedridden. Additionally, they prepare meals for their clients, feed them and perform general medical duties such as taking blood pressure and administering medication. House cleaning services including changing bed linens, doing the laundry, maintaining the yard and shopping for household necessities. Some companies even install safety features like shower rails, wheelchair ramps and nonslip flooring.