What Are Home Health Care Services

Rent a Daughter are medically focused and provided by nurses, therapists and home health aides under the direction of a physician. Typically, patients who receive home health care services are recovering from injury or illness or managing a chronic condition at home. Home health care can reduce unplanned hospital admissions and improve overall outcomes by providing specialized, coordinated care in the comfort of home.

Many elders find it hard to admit that they need help taking care of themselves at home, especially if family members live far away. But the reality is that most people need home health care as they age. Whether you need minor help getting around or substantial medical care, home health care services can keep you safe and living at home for as long as possible.

Most people are familiar with home health care from the media, which often portrays nurses in white coats rushing into homes to provide emergency medical treatment. But there are actually many different types of home care services, from home health aides to medical social workers and skilled nurses. And each type of service can be tailored to meet your specific needs.

A home health aide provides assistance with daily tasks, such as bathing, dressing and grooming, meal preparation and medication reminders. A home health aide can also run errands and assist with transportation to doctor's appointments. Some aides are trained to perform more specialized medical duties under the supervision of a nurse, such as wound care or pain management.

Medical social workers provide counseling and support services for patients, and may also serve as the patient's case manager. They can help the patient locate and access community resources to support their recovery, and they can teach family caregivers how to be more effective supports for their loved ones.

Home health therapists (physical and occupational therapists) evaluate and treat a patient's underlying disease or injury. They can use the latest technology to manage pain, teach patients and families how to prevent further injury or recurrence, and offer education and training to the patient's support network.

While there is no randomized controlled research on the relationship between the work environment and patient safety, some preliminary studies have found that a variety of factors in the home health care workplace can influence the risk for adverse events. Feldman and colleagues investigated the characteristics of 86 home health care teams at a large urban home health agency to see what variables could predict the rate of patient adverse events. The team's reported rates of adverse events were significantly lower in teams with fewer weekend admissions, more evenly distributed incentives, and more effective communication between teammates.

When selecting a home health care provider, it is important to carefully screen potential employees, including conducting thorough reference checks and a criminal background check. You should also inquire about an agency's employee orientation and ongoing education. For example, the best agencies will include a thorough orientation on emergency preparedness and provide staff with ongoing training in CPR and the Heimlich maneuver.

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