by Isabelle Esteves

Created on: May 20, 2010   Last Updated: March 03, 2012

As the population of the world ages, many people are having to make some tough decisions.  Aging comes with its own set of challenges. There are many unknowns and this leads to anxiety and stress. One of the biggest fears,  for many elderly people,  is being forced to leave their home. Home health care can help to minimize some of this stress by allowing them to remain in familiar surroundings.

The cost of assisted living or residential care facilities are very high. There is a whole segment of the population who are relatively healthy but who have some issues that need to be monitored. They may not have a spouse, children or grandchildren who are willing or able to provide them with the care that they need.  For these people, home health care is appropriate.

There is a wide spectrum of home health care services available. The services can be custom fitted to the individual needs of the client. It might be that your elderly mother or father is well enough to live at home and to care for themselves but that they may need help with taking a bath or a shower. They might not be comfortable getting that kind of care from one of their children or grandchildren. There are agencies that can supply an hour bath visit that will allow the elderly person to maintain their dignity while getting the personal care that they need. This type of service is charged by the hour and can run from $30-50 per visit, a small price to pay for peace of mind.

There are many other home health care services that are available. Some of them have little to do with general health but  a great deal to do with mental health. You can hire a homemaker or companion who will come into the home and provide light housekeeping, cook meals, run errands, provide transportation to medical appointments and generally be a companion to the elderly person. They can provide this service for anyone who needs it, not just the elderly.  Their services are available twenty four hours a day. Many elderly people have their days and nights mixed up and the thought that they might wander outside their home at night is frightening to family members.  By getting home health care for overnight, this issue can be handled to everyone's satisfaction.

There are also skilled nurses who can make visits. They monitor vital signs, organize medication and help to make sure that people can stay safe and healthy in their own homes for as long as possible.  There are many conditions that might require this sort of in home health care service. When you consider the cost of any type of residential or assisted living care, the cost of home health care is much more reasonable.

Most health care agencies bond their employees and make sure that they are qualified to provide the services that you need.  They also maintain contact with the primary care physician. Home health care is appropriate when there is a need and a desire to stay healthy and safe and most of all, help your family member to be able to stay at home.

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