What Services Are Provided With Home Healthcare Services?

Home health care services can involve much more than medical assistance for patients. According to the National Association for Home Care and Hospice, home care can include sitter services, counseling and health care guidance for patients and their families. Home health care can be a good option for those individuals, both young and old, who need ongoing assistance but prefer to stay in their familiar home environment.

Hygiene & Medical

• Patients who receive home health care may receive services to assist them with their activities of daily living, such as hygiene, dressing and feeding, as medical assistance. Home health providers help immobile or incapable patients with bathing, dressing and grooming. They also monitor patients' health status and provide treatments under the direction of physicians or nurses. According to the National Association for Home Care and Hospice (NAHC), home health providers that are licensed medical professionals administer medications, IV therapies and injections. They also may provide education to patients and their families about the management of illnesses or injuries. In addition, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that some home care services involve teaching able patients how to complete some self-care tasks.

Household & Companionship

• Home health aides are often responsible for household duties in addition to providing direct care to patients. They change bed linens, wash laundry, prepare meals and complete light household cleaning, according to the NAHC. It is essential that aides have a thorough understanding of patients' nutritional needs so that they prepare meals that will not cause adverse health effects. In addition to general housework, some home health care providers also offer companionship services. Patients who are home-bound or facing debilitating conditions may need psychological assistance as well as human interaction. Home health providers can assist with meeting this need by offering emotional support, activities and conversation for these individuals.

Appointments & Errands

• Some home health care providers, particularly those that offer companionship and personal aide services, provide transportation services for patients. In addition to running errands for the home-bound patient, aides may also be responsible for transporting them to appointments or events. This can be a time-consuming process, particularly if the patient is immobile. Aides have to safely get patients in and out of vehicles. They accompany the patients to doctor or other appointments and assist them with tasks. In some cases, home health aides even attend personal events with patients in order to monitor their health conditions, administer any necessary treatment and assist family caretakers.