Home care is an umbrella term for various types of at-home patient care, both medical and otherwise. A home is meant to be a place of safety and comfort but, for some people, it can be difficult to manage everyday tasks. For persons of advanced age, those suffering from chronic illness or recovering from an injury, even basic tasks can seem impossible. Care services are provided at home and designed to maintain quality of life for their patients, all while creating a safe and accessible environment. Depending on the needs of clients or patients, services can be scheduled on a long or short-term basis. The goal of home care is to provide comfort and peace of mind, all while encouraging independence.
Types of Service
Home care clients are diverse, so it is necessary to offer customizable options, based on unique patient needs. Services can include companionship and household tasks but they can also mean physical rehabilitation and therapy. When considering which type of home care service will suit your situation, there are certain qualities that you can look for:
Companionship Care: This type of personal service comes in the form of non-medical care. Domestic tasks, such as cleaning or cooking can become extremely difficult for the elderly. Companion care can be tweaked in order to fill the voids around households, all while presenting a cheerful, familiar face. This ensures that potentially dangerous appliances such as stoves are no longer am issue for patients.
Long-Term Medical Care: Nursing services can provide care for clients suffering from chronic afflictions like dementia, multiple sclerosis, cancer, heart disease and mental illness. This type of care makes it possible to have medical attention on a regular basis without needing to leave the comfort of their routine.
Visiting Nurse Services: These types of services focus on short-term recovery, usually following a surgical procedure or accident. This might include physical therapy, administering medications and monitoring progress, vitals and ensuring no infections occur while healing.
Before care begins, families, doctors and other medical professionals create a schedule that works with the patient’s time and needs. Care can be booked on a regular weekly or monthly routine, serving those with limited abilities, as well as those who are working to get back on their feet.