HOME HEALTH CARE By: Visting Angels

Home health care is clinical medical care provided by an registered nurse, occupational therapist, physical therapist or other skilled medical professionals, and is often prescribed as part of a care plan following a hospitalization.
HOME HEALTH SERVICES
Home health care services include:

• Therapy and skilled nursing services
  
• Administration of medications, including injections
  
• Medical tests
  
• Monitoring of health status
  
•  Wound care
  

WHEN TO USE HOME HEALTH
Situations in which home health is prescribed include:

• Following an inpatient hospitalization, rehabilitation, or a stay at a skilled nursing facility – to help the senior transition back to independence
  
• When a senior has had a recent medication change, in order to monitor for side effects and assure a new medication is effective
  
• When seniors experience an overall decline in functioning – in order to help them to regain independence through therapy or learning new skills to compensate for their deficit
  

HOME CARE
Home care is provided by caregivers, usually called home care aides or “Angels”, who are trained to understand the nuances of senior care. Home care aides can help older adults with activities of daily living, or just offer some friendly companionship. Unlike home health, home care is classified as personal care or companion care and is considered “unskilled” or “non-clinical.”
WHEN TO USE HOME CARE
You might consider hiring a home care aide for older adults who:

• Need assistance with activities of daily living ranging from grooming, bathing meal preparation
  
• Do not drive and require transportation
  
• Live alone, may be at risk for social isolation and need companionship
  

HOME CARE SERVICES
Services provided by home care aides may include:

• Meal preparation
  
• House cleaning
  
• Helping dressing, bathing and grooming
  
• Transportation
  
• Reminders to take medicine
  
• Help with bill paying ​