What to Expect from Home Care

There are many benefits to enlisting a home care organization to assist with care for you or your loved one at your house or apartment. Having a home care worker help you or your loved one can improve overall healthcare by identifying any changes in health sooner rather than later. If you have never worked with a home care company, and are wondering what to expect, the information below will provide invaluable insight.

There are two basic types of home care services: Professional Home Health or Private In-Home Personal Care. Whether you’re looking for high-quality skilled nursing and therapy services in the comfort of your own home, or are just looking for a helping hand with daily tasks, there is a service that fits your needs.

Professional Home Health Services

Registered and Licensed Practical Nurses will work directly with a Primary Care Physician and other health care professionals to ensure that health recommendations for you or your loved one are adequately executed. This includes a wide range of duties such as:

• Giving injections
• Caring for wounds
• Providing patients and families with instructions for self-care
• Monitoring progress while keeping an eye out for new health conditions that may arise

Additionally, many professional home health services include social workers, therapists and other healthcare professionals that can assist in most recovery, rehabilitation or health education needs a patient may encounter.

As health conditions continue to change, professional home health care providers can help you and your loved ones adjust to these changes. Nurses will help assess new needs, and will coach and train patients, caregivers, and family members on the best way to treat new concerns as they arise.

Private In-Home Personal Care

For seniors who may not need the assistance of a licensed healthcare professional in the home but are still hoping to gain a helping hand, private in-home personal care services may be perfect for you. With in-home personal care services, caregivers are assigned to assist you with common, day-to-day tasks, such as:

• Assistance while bathing or dressing
• Light housekeeping and chores
• Grocery shopping and errands
• Meal planning and preparation

While emergency health care still needs to be sought out, personal caregivers can assist with transportation to doctor’s appointments and keeping a record of medical needs and visits. Some changes may require a trip to an outside health care provider, but your home care organization will assist with finding the appropriate resources.

Additionally, a personal caregiver can provide a little extra companionship for seniors who are just looking for someone to spend their days with. Unlike professional home health services that primarily benefit those who are sick or recovering, anyone can benefit from the services of a personal caregiver in the home.

Personalized Care for Patients

No matter what service you choose, typically a home care worker will maintain a set schedule, such as 1-2 times per week. However, nurses are also available for additional visits as needed, and personal caregivers can even provide live-in companionship as needed.

Hiring a home care worker can also reduce stress and worry. Seniors often have mobility concerns, making trips to the doctor stressful. By having in-home help, patients/clients and their families experience less stress, improved health management and increased peace of mind.

Whether you’re looking for professional in-home healthcare or just some extra help with everyday living, Concordia is happy to provide both private duty home care services and professional home health services. No matter what level of service you need, our highly-trained team of healthcare professionals and personal caregivers are available to help provide convenience and comfort to you and your family. For more information about our private duty services or professional healthcare visiting nurses, contact Concordia today.