FACTS ABOUT SENIOR HOME CARE

The form of health care that is provided in the home of the patient is called the home care. Either doctors or nurses or a family member can take up such responsibility of providing care. In case of home health care, the treatment is given to the patient in their homes by licensed doctors or nurses while a medically untrained person can provide home care. However, both terms have same meaning in the US and refer to the care provided by either doctors and nurses or non-licensed caregivers.

 

Instead of being admitted to a hospital, a patient under a home care treatment receives care in his or her own home setting. The health care professionals give patients a number of tasks. They can perform different tasks like dressing, hygiene, shopping, cooking, or taking medicines following the professional guidance.

 

Usually, friends or family members of the patient are in charge of the majority of the care giving. In some cases, professionals like social workers, mental health specialists, and respiratory therapists may also help the home caregivers. The primary doctor may also visit patients in few occasions. Either employer insurance or public organizations such as Medicaid or Medicare handles all expenses of home care. Sometimes, the family members of the concerned patients also share the costs.

 

Let us now discuss the six factors or the activities of daily living, which determine the amount of care a patient needs. Eating, walking, dressing, restroom usage, bathing, and transferring are the above six factors. Besides, activities like shopping, cooking, or handling their own money, are also taken care of.  A person must have some prior qualifications to become a home care worker. Some organizations look for workers having a high school diploma or GED and a year of experience, and the candidates should qualify a written test also.