Deciding Between Caregivers And Home Health Aides Springfield MO
When a family decides that their loved one needs extra care to remain in their home, decisions must be made. Should a home health aide be hired or an in-home caregiver? The key to finding the right individual for the job is to consider the unique needs of the senior. Once this has been determined, it becomes easier to decide who to hire for the job. Families also need to understand that these services are not mutually exclusive.
Home Health Aides
Home health aides can assist seniors with medication, IV therapy and wound care. Mobility training and occupational therapy also fall under their duties. Any care provided by a home health aide is prescribed by a physician, and the aide monitors the health status of the senior to report to the physician.
A home health aide may only be needed for the short term or they may be with the senior for a longer period of time, depending on the patient's needs.
The home health aide is a trained medical professional. They may be a CNA who is supervised at all times by a nurse, doctor or nurse practitioner or they might even work in one of these fields. A doctor must write orders for any tasks the home health aide takes on, and the aide is responsible for documenting any care that is given.
In-home Caregivers
In-home caregivers help clients with basic living tasks which can be just as important to the dignity of your loved one as any medical care. A person who needs help with bathing or using the restroom will benefit from our in-home caregivers, as will those who have continence issues. Individuals who don't drive, need help preparing meals or keeping their home clean often find our in-home caregivers are of great help in allowing them to maintain their independence. For some individuals, our caregivers are there to provide companionship to ensure the senior does not become socially isolated.
To determine which type of care a senior needs, the family needs to sit down with their doctor and medical team. With input from all parties, a care plan can be developed. In many cases, both a home health aide and an in-home caregiver may be required to ensure the proper level of care and allow the senior to stay in their own home.
In the event a patient needs home health care in addition to a personal care aide, we are happy to help. We work with home health agencies to ensure our clients have the help they need at all times, regardless of what is involved. Every individual needs to be able to remain independent as long as possible, and all we do is focused on this goal.