Home Health Care Services Can Be A Great Option

Rent a Daughter services are provided by nurses, therapists and aides under the direction of a physician to patients who require assistance at home. They are designed to promote recovery and help patients become more independent. These services are a less costly alternative to nursing home or assisted living facility care.

Home care services can be a great option for seniors who want to stay at home and avoid moving into a retirement community or nursing home, as well as those recovering from surgery or illness. Home health care providers will visit a patient at their home to assess their needs and develop a plan of care. Caregiver services include checking vital signs, assisting with personal hygiene and medication management. In addition to these tasks, caregivers will also assist with shopping, meal preparation and housekeeping. They will even provide transportation to doctors' appointments.

A variety of medical equipment can be delivered to the home, including oxygen, walker and wheelchairs, intravenous pumps, and portable x-ray machines. In some cases, a dietitian may be called in to conduct dietary assessments. Some lab tests can be performed at the home as well.

Most of the time, a doctor must visit a patient at home to assess their condition and prescribe the home health care services they need. The home health care team will then implement the doctor's order and keep the physician updated on progress. In some cases, a patient's doctor may permit them to leave their home for short trips that do not interfere with the home health care services they need.

Some home health care services are covered by Medicare, but it's important to check with the provider to make sure what they charge. In a study by Kroposki and Alexander,5 higher patient satisfaction was associated with better working relationships between nurses and supervisors, opportunities for shared decisionmaking, formalized organizational and professional guidelines, and regular meetings between nurse and patient.

In many cases, a loved one's family is the main source of care in the home. However, the "sandwich generation" often has children and other obligations that prevent them from being able to provide full-time care for an aging parent or spouse. Home care can give families a much-needed break and provide peace of mind that their loved ones are in good hands.

When evaluating home care options, ask friends and neighbors for recommendations. If possible, match the caregiver's skills and personality with your loved one's needs. It may also be helpful to talk to the person's doctor for a referral. When considering a caregiving agency, find out how the company screens their caregivers and what types of training they receive. Also, be sure the agency explains what Medicare covers and what you'll need to pay for out-of-pocket. The agency should also give you a written notice called the Advance Beneficiary Notice before providing any items or services that aren't covered by Medicare.

NAP