Sunday, December 8, 2013

Those Who Require Home Care Services Will Find That Numerous Options Are Available

By Tiffany Gill


Those facing the challenge of locating health care services for aging parents or other family members may find the task somewhat daunting. This is because the broad range of options available in today's modern world may cause an individual to quickly become overwhelmed. Different types of assistance can be found for elderly individuals, such as visiting nurses, long-term care establishments, and home care services.

A person's health history will play a large role in determining which type of assistance is the most suitable choice. Many individuals who are not incapacitated or disabled can receive help in their own dwelling. This option is frequently selected by those who want their family member to remain at home, but at the same time realize that the person must have assistance on a daily basis.

In most cases, prior to an individual being enrolled in such services, a visiting nurse is called upon to complete a medical evaluation. This helps the agency to determine what kind of assistance the person requires. In certain cases, moderate help is all that is needed, such as assistance with daily chores. In some cases, however, skilled services are required, which must be given by a qualified nurse working under the supervision of a doctor.

A safety evaluation is usually part of an assessment for such services. The goal of this evaluation is to discover if sanitation issues exist or if the home is dangerous in any way for the elderly person. The professional who completes this assessment will also make recommendations concerning the level of assistance needed by the client and he or she will communicate these suggestions to concerned family members.

Those who are disabled or ill almost always prefer to stay in their own dwelling. However, this is not always possible. When it is obvious that an elderly individual can no longer live alone, loved ones will quickly find that they have a vast array of alternatives from which to choose regarding healthcare facilities for their family member. Those who cannot live alone, but who are not incapacitated or disabled may find that a personal assistance home is a suitable option.

It is important to understand the difference between skilled nursing facilities and assisted living homes, however. The latter do not typically provide skilled medical care. Instead, they help those who live in the home with their daily living tasks. The latter may include personal hygiene, assistance with eating, and transportation to appointments with various healthcare practitioners.

Certain elderly women and men cannot function without the assistance of a qualified nursing staff. When this point has been reached, a long-term care facility such as a nursing home should be considered by the individual's family. Such homes employ registered nurses who can help those living there with their medications. They also assess the health of residents on a regular basis. The majority of such facilities are also regularly visited by doctors who perform checkups on the residents of the home who suffer from health disorders or who are disabled.

It is essential for an ill or disabled individual's family members to talk over each alternative prior to making a final choice about the best course of action for the aforementioned person. It can be a challenging task to determine which type of care is most appropriate, and therefore hasty decisions should be avoided. Ultimately, those who wish to live independently for as long as possible should pursue quality home care services.




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