What Is Home Health Care and When Is It Necessary?

How many prescription medications do most seniors take?

At least 10.

However, when you add over the counter medications to the equation, that number can easily double. Unfortunately, all of these pills put the elderly population at risk of mixing up their medications or experiencing adverse side effects. That’s why senior citizens make up 30% of all ER visits related to drug events!

Thankfully, services like home health care can help protect patients, without robbing them of their independence. What is home health care, and who can benefit?

Read on to find out everything you need to know about at-home healthcare.

What Is Home Health Care Exactly?

What is home health care? On the surface, at home healthcare refers to a wide range of health-related services that take place at the patient’s home, with a licensed medical professional. In some situations, the care is provided at a long-term nursing facility or assisted living location.

Giving injections, caring for wounds, and nutrition therapy are all great examples of at-home health care. However, the big picture is to be able to give clients the tools they need to be as independent as possible.

Since adopting healthy lifestyle habits is a big part of getting better, home health care providers also help their clients learn how to manage pain levels, eat, drink, and exercise in the best ways possible. When you’re choosing home health care, look for a company that offers a wide range of services so you can have the most inclusive experience.

Who Needs Home Health Care?

Home health is a service that can benefit anyone who needs to get better or maintain their current level of health. Let’s say, for example, an elderly man named Joe became ill, or injured. Home health care would be able to help Joe heal faster, and more fully than he would if left to his own devices. Instead of losing his self-sufficiency, Joe could walk away from the experience stronger than ever before.

Read Also: Better Health for the New Year: Simple Ways to Boost Your Wellbeing

Different Types of Care Services

Did you know there are multiple types of home health services? Here’s a shortlist of the types of services you can choose from:

• Personal companionship
• Private duty nursing
• Long-term care
• Physician ordered care

By providing elderly individuals with a certified companion, they can get help with things like home safety, meal preparation, bathing, and dressing. For those who need long-term care, an hourly or shift nursing service would be the best option. Whereas, someone who only needs intermittent care could benefit from a visiting nurse service.

Securing at Home Healthcare

The next time you hear someone asking, “What is home health care?”, you’ll already know the answer. It’s a way for patients to get the care at home they need to lead fulfilling lives.

Could you, or someone you know benefit from home health services? Reach out to a home health care provider today, and request a list of all the services they offer. The more you know about what’s available, the easier it’ll be for you to get the right kind of help! For more tips like these, read another article.