What are the various types of home care services?
There are many home care services that a patient can access at their own home. Care can vary depending on the patient’s needs. It could include nursing care or specialized medical services like laboratory workups. Your doctor and you will decide what kind of care plan you want and which services you might need at home. Services that are available at-home may include:
Doctor care
To diagnose and treat an illness, a doctor can visit the patient at home. The doctor may also visit the patient at home to assess their health and care needs.
Nursing care
A type of nursing care, depending on the needs of the patient, is the most popular form of home healthcare. A registered nurse will create a care plan after consultation with the doctor. Nursing care can include intravenous therapy, wound dressing, ostomy, intravenous therapy, medication administration, monitoring the general well-being of the patient, pain management, and any other support.
Therapy for physical, occupational and/or speech disorders
Patients may require assistance in relearning daily tasks or improving their speech skills after an injury or illness. A physical therapist will help patients regain or strengthen their muscles and joints. An occupational therapist is able to help patients with developmental, physical, or emotional disabilities learn how to do daily tasks such as dressing, eating, bathing and other activities. A speech therapist is able to help patients with impaired speech regain their ability to communicate clearly.
Services for medical social assistance
The patient’s medical social worker provides a variety of services, including counseling and the locating of community resources that can help with recovery. If the patient has complex medical needs, a social worker can also act as the patient’s case manager.
Home health aides can provide care
Home health aides are trained to assist patients with their basic needs, such as dressing, getting up, bathing, and walking. Under the guidance of a nurse, some aides have received more specialized training.
Basic assistance or homemaker
A homemaker, or someone who assists with household chores, can take care of a patient while they are being taken to the hospital.
Companionship
For some patients, a companion may be necessary to provide support and supervision. A companion may also be able to perform household chores.
Volunteer care
Volunteers from local organizations can offer basic comfort by providing companionship, personal care, transportation, emotional support and/or assistance with paperwork.
Support nutrition
A dietitian can visit a patient’s house to conduct dietary assessments and provide guidance to help with the treatment plan.
Laboratory and X-ray imaging
Some laboratory tests such as blood or urine can be done at home. Portable X-ray machines also allow lab technicians to perform the service at their home.
Services in the pharmaceutical industry
Home delivery of medicine and medical equipment is possible. Training can be provided to the patient on how to use the equipment and medicines, as well as intravenous therapy, if necessary.
Transport
Many companies offer transportation services to patients who need to travel to or from a medical facility to receive treatment or for physical examinations.
Delivered to your home
Many communities offer Meals-on-Wheels to those who can’t cook at home. Hot meals may be delivered multiple times per week depending on the individual’s needs.
