Care at Home

Home-care agencies (HCAs) can provide critical healthcare services and assistance with the activities of daily living in the patient's home. This is beneficial for two reasons:

1. It allows an individual to remain at home for a longer period of time before relocating (if necessary) to an assisted-living facility or nursing home.

2. It enables hospitals to discharge patients earlier so they can recover in the comfort of their own home.

Below are some of the questions we will answer in this section:

Home-care services are generally divided into one of the following types of care:

1. Skilled care and

2. Non-skilled care (often referred to as companion or home-maker services)

Skilled care must be performed by licensed professionals, such as nurses, therapists or social workers. Registered nurses provide services such as the initial consultation, monitoring of medications, wound care, infusion therapy and catheter care, in addition to wellness education for diabetes and other diseases. Licensed therapists and social workers perform physical, speech, respiratory, occupational and social therapies. Non-skilled care is for those who need help with custodial tasks such as bathing, toileting and dressing. In this scenario, a home health aide, personal care aide or "companion" would be assigned, usually under the guidance of the nurse or physical therapist.

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