What is in-home care? In-home care is a type of home health and skilled nursing service. It allows seniors to receive help with activities of daily living like showering, eating, and dressing. Caregivers also provide companionship by engaging with clients through conversation, hobbies, games, and more. This article explains the basics of what in-home care is and the benefits it can provide. In Home Care Mendota Heights MN
What is In-Home Care?
In-home care is a type of skilled nursing and home health care that allow seniors to receive care at home. At many agencies, multiple levels of care are provided, including skilled nursing, personal care, and companionship. It can be provided by a nurse, social worker, or caregiver. In most cases, it’s provided at the person’s home, but it can also be provided in a facility that specializes in long-term care.
According to the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC), you can arrange for in-home services through a private agency or your state’s Medicaid program. Private options may be more expensive but offer more flexibility in your schedule and choice of providers; however, if you qualify for Medicaid benefits you’ll likely have fewer choices due to restricted provider networks within these programs.
In-home care is usually less expensive than assisted living facilities and nursing homes because it’s more cost-effective for caregivers to visit you in your own home rather than move into one of those facilities with you.
Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses
Caregivers are people who will become part of the fabric of your life—and they will be with you for as long as you need them.
Nurses who provide in-home care include registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs). RNs are highly trained healthcare professionals with a degree in nursing. They work under the supervision of doctors, perform complex medical tasks, and often fill prescriptions.
LPNs receive less training than RNs and may work under the supervision of RNs or doctors. They usually perform basic nursing tasks such as monitoring a patient’s blood pressure, temperature, and heart rate, as well as dressing wounds, changing catheters and administering medication. They also change bandages, prepare patients for surgery, take samples, and help patients move around their homes. Finally, LPNs keep doctors and other medical professionals updated about patient conditions.
Caregiver Services
When you think of an in-home caregiver, what comes to mind? Perhaps you imagine someone who helps with activities of daily living (ADLs) like showering and dressing. Or maybe you picture a caregiver sitting with a client while they eat or read the newspaper.
Both of these are the core duties of an in-home care provider. An in-home caregiver assists with activities of daily living (ADLs) like showering, dressing, and eating. Caregivers also provide companionship by engaging with clients through conversation, hobbies, games, and more.
Companionship is an important part of many people’s lives—and it can be even more so for those who live alone after losing their spouse or partner, who live far from family members and friends, or who feel isolated as a result of health issues like dementia. Companionship also helps reduce depression symptoms among seniors with moderate mental health conditions such as anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
In-home care is a great option for individuals who want to stay in their homes, but still, receive the medical services they need. It’s especially suited for seniors with chronic conditions that require regular monitoring and treatment from a professional caregiver. If you have any questions regarding in-home care, reach out to our team of professionals at Pinnacle Home Care. We are happy to assist you so contact us today!