What Services Does Home Health Care Provide?

Home health care is gaining in popularity with senior citizens and their families. The concept is that a trained professional comes to the senior's home to help take care of the senior in a familiar environment. This is a viable option for people with chronic illnesses, post-surgical patients, disabled patients, and elderly who do not want to go to a retirement home, assisted-living home, or nursing home. There are many services that home health care provides.
  1. Health Care

    • Many home health care agencies have certified nurses and nurse assistants on staff to assist clients with medical needs. This may include dressing and changing post-surgery wounds and distribution of prescription medication. Some patients recovering from a stroke need in-home physical therapy and rehabilitation care. This type of home health care may be on a part-time or full-time basis. Other services are available, such as post-birth assistants that help a new mother adjusting to a newborn.

    Personal Care

    • Some home health care providers help with personal activities, such as bathing and getting dressed. This can be especially useful to someone recovering from surgery or who has physical ailments, but still has good mental facilities. Many elderly people's children do not live nearby and do not want their parents to drive. Home health care services also include transportation, such as driving the client to doctor appointments, beauty appointments, and malls or supermarkets. Many home health care workers go on short walks with their clients to give them the opportunity to enjoy fresh air without worrying about getting lost or falling down.

    Homemaking Services

    • Home health care agencies also provide homemaking services, such as "Meals On Wheels" or in-home cooking. Other services may include running errands and housework such as cleaning, laundry, or yard work. Rather than hire a cleaning person, some people feel more comfortable going through a home health care agency that has conducted background checks and reference checks on its employees.

    Companionship

    • When an elderly person has lost a spouse and doesn't have family nearby, he or she still needs interaction with people. Some hire home health care agencies for the companionship features alone. In-home caregivers are typically compassionate and empathetic. Many clients enjoy having someone around to talk to and spend time with.

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