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lundi 9 décembre 2013

A Variety Of Home Care Services Are Available To Consumers

By Tiffany Gill


Individuals who are faced with the challenge of finding help for elderly parents or another family member may feel a bit overwhelmed. This is because the elderly care family members need for their loved ones can be obtained from many different sources. These include home care services, visiting nurses, or long-term facilities.

The health history of the person in need of assistance plays a large role in deciding which kind of services are most appropriate. Receiving care in one's own dwelling is a viable option for individuals who are not disabled or incapacitated. This alternative is often chosen by families who want their loved one to remain at his or her own residence, but realize that he or she requires daily help.

In most cases, prior to an individual being enrolled in services of this type, a medical evaluation is completed by a visiting nurse in order to pinpoint the exact type of services that are necessary. In some instances, only basic help is needed. However, in other cases, skilled services are required, which must be performed by an experienced nursing professional working under the direction of a doctor or other licensed healthcare practitioner.

A safety evaluation is usually part of an assessment for such services. The goal of this evaluation is to discover if sanitation issues exist or if the home is dangerous in any way for the elderly person. The professional who completes this assessment will also make recommendations concerning the level of assistance needed by the client and he or she will communicate these suggestions to concerned family members.

Even those who are sick or disabled typically prefer to remain at home, but in certain cases this is simply not possible. When it has been determined that it is no longer safe for an older person to live independently, families will quickly discover that they have a broad range of options for their loved one with regard to healthcare facilities. Personal assistance is sometimes available in a group home setting, and this is often the choice for individuals who are not disabled or incapacitated, but nevertheless cannot live alone.

Personal care homes are not skilled nursing facilities, and do not typically provide medical help or assessment. Rather, they help residents with their daily living activities. Such assistance may include help with meals, personal hygiene, and transportation to and from doctor's appointments.

Some elderly men and women cannot function without the help of a licensed nursing staff. Once a person has reached this point, his or her family should consider a nursing home or other long-term facility. Such establishments employ registered nurses who can assist residents with medications and assess their health on a regular basis. Most long-term care facilities are also visited regularly by physicians who perform checkups on those who are disabled or suffer from health conditions.

It is important for all family members to discuss each option available before making a final decision about which course of action is best for their loved one. Deciding which type of care is most suitable can be a challenging task, and not one that should be made in haste. Ultimately, home care services can be pursued by those who want to remain independent for as long as possible.




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