Home care agencies can offer many different services to people who require extra assistance due to illness or disability. These services are meant to help rehabilitate a person and help the patient and family with the care that they need. Some types of home care services are paid for by private insurance companies, Medicare or Medicaid, while others can be paid for privately as an out-of-pocket cost to the patient or family.
Physical and Occupational Therapy
Many people need help recuperating after an illness or injury that has caused their health to decline. Home care services such as physical or occupational therapy can greatly help with this problem. A physical therapist can come to a patient's home for a few hours a week to rehabilitate the individual by teaching and assisting with exercises that build strength. An occupational therapist helps the patient learn how to do daily activities that he once had difficulty with, such as making a meal or taking a bath. When both the physical and occupational therapist work together, they can provide a great deal of benefit to the patient and the family.
Nursing and Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Nursing services are often a vital need of home care clients. The National Association of Home Care reports that both registered nurses (RN)s and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) offer help with services that cannot be performed safely by someone unskilled. People who suffer from chronic illness such as diabetes or cardiac conditions frequently need the help of nurses in their homes. Nurses can provide services such as medication teaching, wound care and dietary advice as well as check vital signs and even do blood draws and lab work.
In addition to nursing care, CNAs can be a vital part of the care of someone at home. The National Library of Medicine reports that a CNA can assist the patient with bathing and other personal care as well as minor chores such as making a bed or preparing a meal. The nurses and CNAs often work together to help the patient through a serious illness.
Social Work Services
Social work assistance can also be obtained through home care services. Social workers play a vital role in helping patients recover from illness or injury that has caused their health to decline. Social workers are important links to area community resources to help with the care and safety of the very ill or disabled person at home. They can also provide counseling for depression and coping issues. They are instrumental in helping the patient's family cope with the caregiving responsibilities. If the patient can no longer remain at home safely, the social worker is often the main resource for help with placement into a skilled nursing facility or adult day care.
