Home care services are a big part of making sure that people who need assistance, such as the elderly and those with disabilities, can live full lives. While some people only need help with simple tasks of daily living, others need professional medical care. There are lots of home care services available, and it can be overwhelming to know what type will be the right fit for you or your loved one. This article will break down the differences between the types of home care services to improve your understanding.
Types of Workers
Personal Care Aids
These types of workers are not licensed. However, they often do have formal training, and they offer companionship and assistance with daily tasks.
Certified Nursing Assistant
A CNA is trained to provide medical care that is less intensive. Their tasks must be approved by a registered nurse.
Registered Nurse
An RN is the most qualified type of home care worker. They can provide any medical in-home care that a patient might need.
Types of Care Services
Personal Care/Non-Medical Care/Companionship
These types of services are non-medical. Aid can be provided by an individual hired through an agency, or someone hired privately. These services generally include things like assisting with dressing, bathing, grooming, preparation of meals, help with household work like laundry, cooking, and cleaning. Ambulatory assistance, like transferring from the bed to a wheelchair, or a wheelchair to the toilet, is also offered, as well as transportation, running errands, and general companionship.
Private Nursing
Nursing services are for specialized medical needs. Tasks such as taking vitals, administering medications, placing IVs, administering shots, changing wound dressings, providing ventilator care, tracheotomy care, ostomy/gastrostomy care, feeding tube cure, catheter care, tending to central lines and feeding tubes, and providing diabetic care are all possible with private nursing. They can also provide all general care needed for those who have a traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, ALS, or MS.
Home Health Care
These services are short-term care to aid a patient's recovery after an illness or injury. Along with the private nursing services, they also include things like physical and occupational therapy and social work. However, they are all for short-term care instead of long-term care.
Payment
Personal Care Services
These services are often not covered by private health insurance. They are usually paid for directly by the patient (either paying the agency or the private worker), or sometimes by long-term care insurance and/or Medicaid. Occasionally, veteran benefits and workers' compensation may cover these services.
Private Nursing
Private nursing can also be private pay, Medicaid, workers' comp, and veteran benefits, but it is often covered by private health insurance as well if ordered by a doctor.
Home Health Care
These services are covered by private insurance when ordered by a doctor, as well as covered through Medicare.
Home care is a great way to ensure that a patient receives the assistance they need with dignity and autonomy. Talk with your doctor to see what type of home care services best fit the needs of you or your loved one.
Share1 March 2021
My name is Katie Langer. For a long time, I was bed ridden and I felt like I had no control over my life. I simply went along with what was instructed by my doctor and I didn't ask questions. It wasn't that my doctor wasn't willing to work with me, but I preferred to simply not think about the illness I was suffering from. I didn't realize that some of the symptoms I was suffering from were side effects of my medication and were not normal. After communicating more with my doctor, I was able to alleviate my symptoms. Since then, I've taken an interest in patient-doctor relationships and how to improve them.
