What Should You Know About Home Care?
Let’s take a look at what you should know about home care services and whether it is the right choice for your current situation. Home care involves a broad range of services for a person that needs assistance to live independently. Those services could include preparing meals and running errands, ensuring medications are taken at the right time and other types of help that the person might need.
Many people confuse it with at-home healthcare providers, but the job of these caregivers can involve many other tasks.
Who Needs Home Care Services?
Here is who could benefit from hiring a caregiver:
- Persons who are aging and need assistance to live independently — it feels good when you head to the store, but you might not be able to do that every day if you’re of advanced age. A caregiver could help you with that and any other area where you could use help. That way, you will maintain the highest possible quality of life.
- Those dealing with chronic health problems — if you have a chronic health issue, it is important to have someone by your side at all times. From taking medications on time to preparing meals, a caregiver can improve your quality of life.
- Persons recovering from a medical setback — perhaps you broke your leg, or you are recovering from surgery. Either way, a caregiver can make your life easier while you navigate through a rough patch and you need home care assistance.
- People with a disability or special needs — a disability might limit your independence to a certain extent. In those areas, a professional could assist you with everyday tasks.
Why Do You Need a Caregiver?
You might be wondering whether a home caregiver is the right choice.
Here is why it might be a smart call:
- Personalized care – you get a caregiver that provides services completely tailored to your needs. Additionally, you can talk to the worker and bond with him or her.
- Stay at home and close to your family – going to a nursing home means you won’t be home. It also implies that you will only see your family when they come to visit. Not only will you feel more comfortable at your place, but you will stay close to other family members.
- Stay independent – if you are living at home, you will have the feeling of comfort and independence. It will also allow you to stay independent and handle many tasks that you might not be confident doing otherwise.
- Reduced infection risk – a nursing home is filled with chronically ill patients, which increases the danger of infection. By staying at home, you reduce that risk, which can be important at an older age.
3+ Types of Caregivers
You will find home care providers specializing in different areas. Some workers might be capable of multiple categories, so make sure to discuss their skills and experience.
Now, here are the main types of caregivers available in the market:
- PCAs – the abbreviation stands short for personal care aides, and they are caregivers you will most frequently encounter. The task of these professionals is to assist a person with their daily activities. That could include dishwashing, doing laundry, vacuuming the house, preparing meals, running errands, etc. If necessary, PCAs will help you with dressing, bathing, and other hygiene-related tasks.
- HHAs – home health aides have qualifications and training required to monitor the health situation of the patients. They are trained to recognize a symptom that is out of the ordinary and ask for help immediately.
- RNs – registered nurses are medical professionals who have a license to provide in-home care. For example, if you need to receive IV therapy at home or post-surgery recovery requires wound dressing, they can provide these services. Hospitals and care facilities often recommend a registered nurse when they deem it is necessary.
Other types of caregivers include physical and occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists. They all specialize in their respective areas. As for medical social workers, they can assist the patient in using the resources offered by the community, but also help family members to handle the new situation.
What Factors to Consider When Choosing a Care Worker
If you need a caregiver with nursing skills, it is imperative to check out the necessary qualifications. Make sure that they have experience in providing services like administering IV therapy, wound dressing, or whatever you might need. If you need a speech therapist following a stroke, find the one with the necessary qualifications.
Outside of official certificates and professional skills, these are the traits that a quality caregiver should have:
- Fast learner – this is important because the home aide will need to recognize the specific needs of the person. If they are highly adaptable they will quickly adjust to the patient’s requirements. That ensures you will achieve harmony with the caregiver.
- Punctuality – it is crucial for you and the rest of your family. They might have plans that are time-sensitive, which is why the caregiver should be punctual.
- Responsibility – the caregiver should complete the given tasks and stick to the agreed schedule. They should also follow all instructions to the point. For example, if the patient needs to eat specific meals, they should only prepare those.
- Patience – unfortunately, patients are not always that pleasant. That is why the caregiver should have a large amount of patience and shouldn’t succumb to frustration easily.
- Knows how to listen – this goes hand in hand with the previous trait. Communication is important for every patient, especially those who might not leave home often. They might not have the most honed social skills, which is why the caregiver should be sensible and sensitive to their needs.
- Invested in their job – this is a trait that will ensure the patient receives top-quality care. For example, is the caregiver ready to come on short notice once in a while? Can they stay an extra hour if something comes up for the family members?
Is Getting a Home Caregiver Expensive? It’s More Affordable Than You Think!
Home health care faces a problem these days because patients believe it is an expensive option. That is far from the truth because a home caregiver is far more affordable than you think.
If you compare the price of committing yourself to a nursing home and hiring a home aide per hour, you will find that an in-home caregiver is a far more affordable option. Additionally, you get to stay at home while maximizing the quality of life.
Find Out What You Should Know About Home Care
Call us today for a free consultation and additional information, or to speak with one of our team members.