Saturday, December 7, 2013

A Variety Of Home Care Services Are Available To Consumers

By Tiffany Gill


It may be somewhat overwhelming when one discovers that he or she must find help for aging parents or other family members. This is because there is a broad range of options available when such services are necessary. These alternatives include long-term care facilities, visiting nurses, or home care services.

In order to choose a suitable option, a person's health history must be taken into consideration. Receiving assistance at home is one alternative for those who were not incapacitated or disabled. This option is frequently selected by those who want their loved one to stay in his or her own dwelling; however, they know that daily help is required.

In most cases, prior to an individual being enrolled in services of this type, a medical evaluation is completed by a visiting nurse in order to pinpoint the exact type of services that are necessary. In some instances, only basic help is needed. However, in other cases, skilled services are required, which must be performed by an experienced nursing professional working under the direction of a doctor or other licensed healthcare practitioner.

The aforementioned visiting nurse will also typically complete a safety evaluation. The objective of this task is to determine whether or not dangerous or unsanitary conditions exist in the dwelling. The individual who conducts this evaluation will also make suggestions regarding the amount of assistance the client needs, and these recommendations will be communicated to the person's family.

Even those who are sick or disabled typically prefer to remain at home, but in certain cases this is simply not possible. When it has been determined that it is no longer safe for an older person to live independently, families will quickly discover that they have a broad range of options for their loved one with regard to healthcare facilities. Personal assistance is sometimes available in a group home setting, and this is often the choice for individuals who are not disabled or incapacitated, but nevertheless cannot live alone.

It is important to understand the difference between skilled nursing facilities and assisted living homes, however. The latter do not typically provide skilled medical care. Instead, they help those who live in the home with their daily living tasks. The latter may include personal hygiene, assistance with eating, and transportation to appointments with various healthcare practitioners.

Certain older individuals cannot function without skilled nursing assistance. With this point has been reached, the person's family should give thought to a long-term care facility, such as a nursing home. Registered nurses are employed at such establishments, who can regularly assess the health of various residents and assist them with taking any necessary medications. Most establishments of this type are also visited by doctors who offer checkups to disabled or ill individuals.

Prior to making a final decision, it is essential for all family members to talk over each option and determine the one that is most suitable for their loved one. It can be a challenging task to choose the best type of services for a family member, and therefore avoiding hasty decisions is always in one's best interest. Ultimately, those with the goal of remaining independent should consider pursuing home care services.




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