What is Home Health Care – Different Types and Services
If you are an adult or older person, it is possible that you have not been benefiting from home health care. Because only a few are aware of what it is or how it can aid them. Some believe they are not qualified. In fact, you could be receiving home health care benefits and not even know it. Here you will learn about home health care, its types, and the services it provides.
What is Home Health Care?
Home care is the act of providing assistance and professional care so that individuals can remain in their home environment. It is for those who are aged, have chronic diseases, have a sickness, or have a disability, or anyone who requires some sort of assistance. They are usually provided by nurses, aides, and therapists. They provide either short-term or long-term care depending on the needs of the person. Also, some types of private insurance cover home health care services but only if you meet certain requirements.
Different Types of Home Health Care
Medical Care
Skilled or medical home health care includes services such as wound care, occupational, physical, speech therapy, injections, patient education, and nutrition therapy among others. It is taken under the doctor’s prescription and assists the patient and the caretaker in availing necessary medical care at home.
Non-Medical Care
Non-medical care involves helping the patient with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, feeding, transportation, shopping, cleaning, and cooking. These services are typically delivered by home health aides or home care aides and do not include medical care.
Home Health Care Services
Patients can receive a number of health care services in their home environment which range from basic nursing care to other specialized medical treatments. It may consist of:
Nursing Assistance
Nursing is the most frequent type of home health care which includes the responsibilities of a registered nurse to develop care plans in cooperation with the doctor. They also dress wounds, assist when taking some medicines, check on the patient’s status, administer pain, and other necessary medical needs.
Doctor Care
Health check-ups are done at home where doctors pay periodic visits to patients, and monitor the progress of their illnesses.
Therapy Services
There are clients with illnesses or injuries that require therapy services to gain control of their movement again. Physiotherapists help patients with muscle and joint systems while occupational therapists assist clients with everyday activities such as feeding themselves and putting on clothes.
Home Health Aides
Skilled workers provide care in basic functions like bathing, dressing, and mobility among others. Some are trained for specified medical functions under the supervision of nurses.
Medical Social Services
They provide a patient with counseling and assist the patients to get the necessary assistance in society. In complex circumstances, they act as case managers of various services.
Homemaking Support
Homemakers assist the patients in meeting their daily needs such as preparing food, washing dishes, doing laundry, and shopping.
Nutritional Guidance
Clinical dietitians can go to patients’ homes to learn about the patient’s dietary requirements in order to advise about the treatment regimen.
Companionship
Elder people who are home alone may benefit from a companion to comfort them and oversee them. Some companions also come and help with some chores around the house.
Community Volunteer Assistance
Members of different organizations give their time to spend time with those who are sick, help with dressing, running errands, companionship, counseling, and performing clerical work.
Pharmaceutical Services
Prescriptions and equipment can also be brought straight to the patient’s doorstep. Education is provided for the correct administration of the doses and contains instructions for intravenous use if necessary.
In-Home Laboratory and Imaging Services
Some tests that can be done at home include blood tests and urine tests. Mobile X-ray systems allow the technicians to conduct imaging services for patients at their places of comfort.
Home-Delivered Meals
Sometimes communities offer Meals-on-Wheels services, which bring hot meals several times a week for those patients who are not capable of cooking.
Transportation Services
Healthcare companies provide transport services for people who have to attend hospitals for checkups or treatment.
Bottom Line
These supportive home health care services are intended to improve patients’ comfort and levels of satisfaction while helping with their medical requirements in their own homes.