What Does Home Health Care Look Like?

Home health care aims to speed your recovery from an illness, injury, or surgery. Typically, a doctor will order the services, and Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance will pay for them. Additionally, it may enable older adults to remain in their residences rather than entering a hospital or long-term care facility. Patients with chronic diseases like diabetes, obesity, or HIV/AIDS may benefit the most.

Seniors and other patients receiving home health care are helped with daily tasks like dressing and bathing. Additionally, they assist with meal preparation, transportation to doctor appointments, and other duties. They are employed under the direction of a licensed practical nurse or another doctor who orders their services. Some home health aides provide skilled care, including physical or occupational therapy and wound care.

With more than 3.5 million jobs nationwide in May 2020, up from 3.3 million two years prior, home health aides are rapidly expanding. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of home health aides is expected to increase by 33 percent by 2030.

Care that patients might not be able to receive in a hospital or other medical facility is what home health nurses strive to offer. Their offerings include everything from administering medications and other treatments to managing pain and caring for wounds.

Although registered nurses (RNs) are more frequently employed in this field, home health nurses can also be licensed practical nurses (LPNs) or certified nursing assistants. They typically work under the direction of a registered nurse and must satisfy certification and licensing requirements in their states to practice.

Taking vital signs, monitoring and reporting on the patient’s condition, administering medication, and keeping up with proper paperwork are all part of your daily duties as a home health nurse. You must perform your job by instructing patients’ families on disease prevention and treatment methods. Additionally, you must speak up for yourself and consult the doctor as necessary.

Home health therapists assist patients in regaining health in the convenience of their own homes after an illness or injury. They adhere to the patient’s care plan while working under the direction of a doctor or other medical expert. They assist with daily chores like grooming, dressing, and transportation. Additionally, they might administer medications or perform other treatments.

They typically work for a home health company that has a Medicare contract. They are qualified to offer skilled nursing and therapy services. However, they also provide non-medical care, such as assistance with grocery shopping, housekeeping, and meal preparation. This type of care is also known as companion or personal care aide care.

Home health therapists can work in various settings, from big, national organizations to small, local private practices. This is a great option for many physical therapists, especially those who want to reach clients who prefer home visits.

As a home health aide, you will assist clients at their homes with services and support. You may check your client’s vital signs, help them with personal care activities like bathing and dressing, or give them medication depending on their needs. You could also assist them with housework, cooking, and grocery shopping. Because you might need to lift, move, or transfer a patient during these activities, good physical health is a requirement.

To help them with their daily activities, many patients have adaptive equipment, such as wheelchairs and walkers. Additionally, they might need help with medical equipment like an oxygen tank or an infusion pump. Home health aides are supervised by a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or registered nurse (RN), who gives them a care plan with instructions for each task. To ensure the security of their patients and shield themselves from liability, they must abide by these guidelines.

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