According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 10,000 Baby Boomers (born between 1946-1964) are retiring every day. People are living longer and having shorter hospitals stays secondary to health insurance standards. According to the CDC, the average life expectancy in the USA is 78.8 years of age. According to a study conducted by the AARP nearly 90% of people over 65 want to stay in their own home as long as possible and 80% believe their current residence is where they will always live. Hopefully that means that you or your elderly loved one will have the luxury of living in your very own cherished home environment while aging gracefully. If not you may have to be sent to a nursing home or assisted living residence.
If you or your loved ones want to remain in the comfort of your own home but live safely and healthy (physically , mentally and socially) home care and or home health care may be necessary. You may have never known that there is actually a great difference between the two types of care.
Below is a summed up version of Eldercare ABC providing great checklists for you to distinguish which care best suits you or your loved one:
Home Care:
*Needs help with eating and feeding, taking a bath, going to bathroom, getting dressed, walking around and transferring from chair to bed etc.
*Needs help with housekeeping, laundry, grocery shopping, cooking meals and medication reminders
*Needs help with incontinent care
*Needs help with maintaining a social life/outings
*Needs assistance with transportation/appointments
* Does family need a break from care giving?
Home Health Care:
*Needs help with pain management
*Needs help with medication administration, education and management
*Skilled assessments/nursing care/vital signs
*Injections and IV infusions
*Catheter care/tracheotomy /ventilator care
*Diabetes education/management
*Post-op rehab care
*Wound Care
* Assistance with medical equipment
*Teaching/education for family/care givers
Home care is usually administered by a nurse assistant, home health aide or companion/escort. Home health care is administered by a licensed/medically trained staff such as a RN, LPN, Physical/Occupational therapist.
Please research the company/individual for accurate payment options.
Some people may benefit soley from home care but others may want the luxury of having a health care professional such as a RN assume not only doctor ordered skilled nursing care but also home care responsibilities as well. Imagine the peace of mind knowing that even if your loved one does not currently have any skilled needs that a RN assuming care will be able to provide quality care, monitor you head to toe and pick up on potential health situations before they escalate. The key is keeping you or your loved one at home, out of a hospital and a nursing home.
There are many local companies in your hometown area. In the Montgomery County/Philadelphia, PA area, Angel Nurseworks is a home health care company ( private duty nursing services) that strives to keep you or your elderly loved ones safe and sound in your coveted home environment. The owner is a RN who not only does home health care but also provides home care. You are to flourish, be nourished and experience total bliss at home where you belong!
Wishing you well in all that you do!
Deneene Shipanga RN BSN
Owner/Operator Angel Nurseworks
Home Health Care
Private Duty Nursing At Its Best
www.angelnurseworks.com
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