by Heidi Peaster

Created on: June 11, 2010

As our parents get older, we often begin to worry about how long, or even if they should now, live alone in their own homes.  It’s a hard call, but one service that has made that call a little easier is home health care.

Home health care is a service with several facets.  On is when an aide, usually female, will visit the home of the elderly or infirm client several times a week to do various non-nursing duties.  The aide usually works for an agency, often covered by Medicare or Medicaid, although they can be also privately funded.  The agency helps the client decide how many hours a week the aide will be needed, at what hours, and for what duties.

There is also the branch of home health care when a nurse will visit the home of the client to check the condition of the client, ask questions in regards to the health and doctor visits, and advise the client and their family.  They work closely with their umbrella agency and with the client’s doctors.

Other facets to the home health care is also visiting physical therapists, and hospice care.  Some of these services are available for limited periods of time, such as when the client first comes home from the hospital, while sometimes they can go on for months or even years.

Home health care services would be appropriate when:

*A client needs basic services performed.  These can range from housework to meals cooked to errands run.  A home health aide is appropriate when non-nursing skills are all that is needed.  An aide can be scheduled for a few days a week, or every day if needs be, for several hours at a time.

*A client needs personal care.  Many elderly or infirm clients need their personal needs attended to, such as dressing, bathing, or toileting.  A home health aide can be scheduled for the times during the day when the primary caretaker needs the most assistance with the client, or when the primary caretaker is at work.

*A client’s family needs a break.  When dementia or Altzheimer’s disease is a factor, an aide to come in and let the primary caretaker go out for awhile or take some down time is essential.  When the family knows a capable person has care of their loved one for several hours a week, they can decompress and regain their equilibrium. 

*A client needs medical monitoring.  Home nurses can come and take vital signs, observe the client, and talk to family members to keep an eye on how things are going

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