Home Care is provided by an adult caregiver at the person’s home where the client or patient is receiving care from another person. This care may be in the form of personal care, respite care, companionship care, or geriatric care. It is provided by professionals who are trained to provide these services in a setting that is comfortable for the client. Home care is also referred to as personal care, domiciliary care, or in-home care. It is generally offered by health professionals who specialize in providing services to people who require help when they are at home.
There are different types of home care services. These may include residential home care which includes tutoring children in school and helping with everyday activities, adult day care, assistance with medical procedures and emergency procedures, care for the elderly, substance abuse or dependence, and home maintenance. Senior Home Care also falls under the category of home care providers. Some of the different types of senior home care services include Alzheimer’s disease care, assisted living, adult daycare, and respite care.
A home health aide provides services such as cleaning, laundry, and meals preparation. Live-in care services involve assisting people with daily personal hygiene requirements while they reside in their homes. This can be in an assisted living facility or a skilled nursing facility. If the person has less than continuing independent living skills, then he or she may have to hire the services of a live-in home health aide. The services of a home health aide include helping with bathing, hair brushing, and other general care tasks.
Medical Assistants provide medical and other assistance to people with illnesses, injuries or handicap problems. Their role involves assisting with day-to-day activities, ensuring safety during physical activities, running errands, and assisting with dressing or grooming needs. Live-in home care services entail assisting the person in accomplishing their daily functions while they are admitted to a hospital for a period of time.
Special needs people have special needs that cannot be met through in-home health aides or other providers. These people require more specialized care than an in-home care services provider could provide. Services that involve special needs individuals include working with physical therapies, psychological assessment and treatment, and medication management. Medical assistants also provide consultation with patients on matters involving health and other medical conditions that may require them to adhere to a certain lifestyle.
Assisted living facilities fall under the category of assisted living services. The services include assisted living apartment living and/or custodial care in a skilled nursing facility. In this case, a licensed nurse or other licensed medical professional is the primary caregiver. However, an older individual can sign up for in-home care services as well. Most of these services cover a monthly rental fee, which covers the cost of all food, medical supplies, housekeeping, transportation, and other services provided.
Senior citizens who require personal assistance but are not ill or disabled enough to qualify for nursing home care may use the services of a companion. Companion care is similar to traditional live-in care except that a service provider is responsible for taking the vital signs of the client. Examples of services covered by companion care include administering medications and monitoring the client’s vital signs under the supervision of the principal. Companion care services are generally covered under Medicare.
People who are unable to take care of themselves in a nursing home or other inpatient setting can utilize the services of a certified nursing assistant (CNA). Certified Nursing Assistants perform duties such as cleaning, bathing, and feeding. A CNA is able to administer medication to a client but does not have the responsibility of moving a patient. A CNA is not permitted to perform invasive procedures but can be present during procedures where the client is receiving physical therapy or may apply creams and other products to the skin of a client who cannot brush their own teeth.