Home. There’s no place like it. It’s where the heart is. It’s where we feel most comfortable and it’s the main reason studies have shown that people have better health outcomes in the comfort of their own home. And as we age, the same holds true: we want to remain in the familiar surroundings of our own home rather than live in a facility. Being cared for in your home doesn’t mean relying on family members or trying to go it on your own. That’s where home health agencies step in to support you by providing a wide range of services depending on your needs. From one-on-one nursing care to physical therapy or senior services, this assistance will allow you to rest, recuperate or age in the place you feel at ease. Home.
HEALING AT HOME: SUPPORT AFTER ILLNESS OR INJURY
After surgery, you may be well enough to leave the hospital, but still need help once you return home. In addition to inspecting your home for any safety hazards that could hinder your recuperation, nurses can help with your recovery by making sure your surgical wounds are healing properly or that you are taking any medications correctly. And it’s not just nursing services. There are a number of health professionals available through home health agencies. Physical therapists are available to help you get up and walk or to ensure that the walker you’ve brought home is working properly. Respiratory therapists can also help with medical equipment if you’re using something like a CPAP machine to help with your breathing while you sleep.
If your needs are a little less medical, home care aides can help you with all the daily activities you seldom think about until you have difficulty doing them on your own — things like bathing, using the bathroom, getting dressed or getting in and out of bed.
AGING IN PLACE: LIVING INDEPENDENTLY BUT WITH ASSISTANCE
If you’re like 90 percent of retirees surveyed by AARP, you want to stay in your home long into retirement. Your current situation may not call for specialized medical care, but as you age, you may need help with the daily activities that would allow you to live in your home independently.
“When your energy is limited, you should use it doing things the revitalize your spirit. We can help you with the rest,” says Katherine Keith, Owner & Director of Right At Home, a home care agency located in Kilmarnock. Companion care provides that help with medication reminders, light housekeeping, meal preparation or running errands. As the name implies, these aides also provide companionship and emotional support to seniors who tend to become isolated in their homes when getting out becomes too difficult. This loneliness and seclusion can lead to further declines in physical and emotional health. Regular visits from a compassionate caregiver offer seniors opportunities to socialize and make emotional connections that enrich their quality of life.
In addition to giving seniors the confidence to continue living at home, this level of care can provide peace-of-mind to long-distance family members. To help with that, Right At Home offers Family Room, which allows family members to stay up-to-date with their loved one’s care through a secure online portal. In addition to receiving health updates they can see a calendar of scheduled visits and communicate with care staff.
AGING IN PLACE: LIVING WITH DEMENTIA
Just because your family member is one of the roughly six million diagnosed with some form of dementia, it doesn’t mean they can’t continue to live at home. In fact, those with dementia tend to fare better in the familiar sights and sounds of their homes. Trained clinicians can help your loved one with daily activities and mobility issues, while ensuring safety in the home and helping everyone involved prepare and adjust as their condition progresses.
It’s important to consider specialized dementia care as soon as possible. Expert interventions, early on, are much more effective in helping a patient to maintain their existing quality of life. You should also know that it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the ever-increasing needs of your loved one as dementia progresses. Having expert care in the home can provide a much-needed source of support in terms of education and relief.
RESPITE CARE: CARING FOR THE CAREGIVER
Taking care of family members in need, while rewarding, can take a toll on you, both physically and emotionally. Spending time as a nurse, cook, and taxi driver can leave little time for your own needs, creating frustration and resentment of your caretaker role. You may also find that guilt prevents you from stepping away to enjoy free time or to take care of yourself. Rather than feeling negative about your responsibilities, consider looking into respite care. Taking a break for a few hours or even days to recharge while your loved one is safely taken care of will allow you to return to your caregiving role with renewed energy and a positive outlook.
“Family members, particularly spouses, are often worried that their loved won’t do well with the change to someone new. Once we come in, we see that they begin to relax and feel confident that their loved one is fine with the transition and is being well cared for. It makes respite care much easier later on,” said Keith.
HOSPICE CARE: END OF LIFE COMFORT
If you’ve ever thought about how you would like to face the end of life transition, you’ve probably pictured being surrounded by family in the comfort of your home. And that’s where hospice services come in. While most home health agencies do not offer specific hospice-related medical care or pain management, their specialized care providers are trained to support the work of hospice agencies by providing help with any daily activities or dealing with the anxiety or stress associated with dying.
OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN ARRANGING FOR HOME CARE
• Medical: Start with your physician for a home care referral. You need to be designated as homebound to qualify for medical home care. That means it’s difficult for you to leave your home and you need help (like a cane, walker, wheelchair or another person) in order to do so. The home health agency that you choose will keep your physician updated on your progress.
• Legal: It’s always a good time to develop a health care directive when you’re healthy and able. This document will ensure you get only the health care you want. You may also need to discuss who will be designated with a durable power of attorney for health care and financial decisions should the need arise.
• Financial: Any time you’re dealing with health care-related services, ask your insurance provider about qualifications and coverage. It’s important to note that Medicare does not cover non-medical home care services unless you’re also receiving medical care in the home.
With levels of care that are equal to hospitals or long-term nursing facilities and better outcomes because you’re where you want to be, you can see why home health care is a preferred choice for a growing number of people and their families.