Home health care is becoming more and more popular. Currently, around 15 million Americans get regular home health aide visits, but only around 1.3 million people are living in a nursing home. In-home care is more personalized, less disruptive, and better for the patient’s mental health. But what exactly does an aide do, and what does an elderly or disabled person’s day look like with care at home?
In-Home Care: What Does Your Loved One’s Day-to-Day Look Like?
A great advantage of home health care is that it is easily customizable. People living in a nursing home all have the same routine. They get up simultaneously, have their meals together, and often participate in pre-planned activities. By staying at home instead of living at a facility, your loved one can retain their autonomy and decide how they want to structure their days.
They might get two visits by a home health aide, one in the morning and one in the afternoon or evening. Other than that, they are free to choose their own activities and even wander around their local area. If necessary, additional services, such as companion visits can be booked. These help to give your loved one’s days more structure and prevent loneliness.
A Morning Visit
Most patients will be visited by their home health aide in the morning. The purpose of this visit is to get your loved one cleaned up and ready for the day. The aide might help them to move from the bed to the living room, take a shower, get dressed, and take their medication. If necessary, the aide will also prepare a cup of tea or even a simple, healthy breakfast.
Before leaving, they will ensure that your relative is safe and has everything they need for the day. The aide will place the remote control, books, something to drink, and the phone close to the patient so they can access these items without getting up.
Spending the Day Independently
Unless the patient has special requirements, each home health aide visit will only take around 30-60 minutes. Once the aide has left, the patient can continue their regular tasks independently. Since they are in their own house, they can structure their day the way they like it best. They might spend some time watching TV, reading a book, chatting on the phone to friends, or receiving visitors.
When we first start working with the patient, we will evaluate their home to make sure it’s safe for them. We might encourage you to install handrails and anti-slip mats to reduce the risk of accidents and falls. We often recommend laying out the home differently or moving everything to the first floor. Your loved one might need a panic button for emergencies, which can be placed around their neck or wrist.
A Visit from a Companion
You and other family members might not have time to visit your elderly or disabled loved one every day. If the patient lives alone or has limited social contact, they could start to feel lonely. At Parent Care, we offer an additional service called “Companion Care,” which is designed for patients who want more social interaction.
The companion will visit your loved one once a week or more, and they will spend quality time with them. The patient can decide what activities they would like to do. Many people enjoy reading a book, chatting, or playing a game with their companion, but they can also do some light housework together or even go on an outing.
An Outing
One of the biggest benefits of home health care is that the patient can stay in their familiar neighborhood. They might have favorite spots to go to or service providers they really like. If your loved one would like to visit their regular hairdresser, go clothes shopping, go to their local pharmacy, or simply stroll around their favorite park, a home health aide or companion can take them.
An Evening Visit
Some people only get one home health aide visit daily, but most patients need two. At the end of the day, the aide returns to the patient’s home and gets them settled for the night.
They might help your loved one to take a shower or bath, change into their nightwear, provide another drink or a simple meal, clear up, and transfer the patient from the living room to the bed. The aide will make sure that your relative has taken their prescription medication and that they have everything they need for the night, including access to a telephone or panic button.
Coordinating Care
When you first reach out, we will suggest a consultation with our elder care planners. They will go through your family’s situation with you and devise an in-home care plan that works for everyone. Some of the aspects that might be discussed include your loved one’s care needs, their health concerns, their prescription medication, and how involved you are in their care. The patient’s wishes and personality will also be considered.
Before the regular home health aide visits can start, we’ll evaluate the patient’s home and suggest improvements that make it easier for them to stay home, even if their condition deteriorates further. Every few weeks, we’ll check in with you to ensure that our home health services are still working for you. If your loved one’s situation changes, let us know, and we’ll adjust their schedule.
Who Is Eligible for Home Health Care, and How Much Does It Cost?
During your initial consultation, we’ll also discuss whether your loved one is eligible for home health care with Parent Care and how to enroll. We accept patients who qualify for New York Medicaid and cannot complete Activities of Daily Living or Instrumental Activities of Daily Living independently. If your loved one can no longer cook for themselves, groom themselves, move from one room to the next, or clean their home, it’s likely that they are eligible.
Why Parent Care?
There are many home healthcare companies out there, so why should you choose Parent Care? We are not just an agency, but we also consider ourselves part of your family. We’ll take care of your elderly or disabled love one as if they were our own. Our health aides are highly trained and paid a good wage, so they are less stressed and more competent than others in their profession.
It’s also important to note that we offer a wide range of services. In addition to getting a home health aide and a companion for your loved one, you can participate in elder care planning and ask us to coordinate the patient’s service providers. Whenever you need help, we’re just a call or an email away.
Most patients would rather be cared for at home than go to a nursing home. When you book in home care, you can expect one to two home health aide visits per day, as well as additional services such as a home evaluation and companion care. Give us a call at Parent Care in New York and book your consultation. We’ll help you to come up with a plan for your elderly or disabled loved one’s care.
