About Home Care
Many ask: What is home care? There are two main categories of help at home:
- Home Health Care provided by licensed medical professionals such as physical therapist, occupational therapist, registered nurse, in which you will need a prescription. It is typically of short duration and covered by health insurance.
- Home Care, such as personal care, homemaker, transportation or companionship services provided by professional caregivers focusing on the non-medical needs of a senior. It doe not require a prescription and can continue as long as needed.
If you need home health care, such as the services of a nurse or therapist, your loved one’s medical professionals can help you learn about your options and what will generally be covered.
Home care, on the other hand, should be arranged through an agency that requires its caregivers be screened, trained, bonded and insured, and undergo background checks and drug screens. Services, which can be provided on a flexible basis, generally include meal preparation, light housekeeping, medication reminders, personal care such as bathing, grooming and dressing. Alzheimer’s and dementia care, transportation, errands and shopping.
If you can’t be there when a senior goes home from the hospital, a non-medical caregiver also can help ensure your loved one transitions home safely.
Many seniors returning home from the hospital receive both medical and non-medical home care. That’s because the services of a licensed medical professional will be considerably different from those of a professional non-medical caregiver. The licensed medical professional generally will have limited contact with a senior, providing services that are time-and task-based such as a nursing visit and assisting with occupational or physical therapy. The arrangement with a non-medical caregiver will generally be longer term and focus on building a relationship and supporting the senior to remain safe and independent at home.
Non-medical home care, home health, hospice or palliative care, physician and family can all partner to help ensure that a senior stays safely at home.