In-Home Nursing Care for Seniors: A Guide to Quality Care at Home
In-home nursing care for seniors is quickly becoming a popular personal care service. As folks grow older, not only do medical conditions typically appear, but even daily living activities can become more difficult.
In-home nursing care typically involves a nurse or a home caregiver visiting the senior’s home to provide medical care, assist with daily activities, and offer companionship. This is a great healthcare option for older individuals that want to receive exceptional care, yet continue living their normal day-to-day lives.
The largest benefit of in-home nursing care is that seniors receive personalized and unique health care services from the comfort of their home.
Rather than being relocated to a nursing home or having to constantly visit a medical facility, elderly individuals receive skilled nursing care in a place they feel most comfortable – their home.
Nurses and caregivers can provide one-on-one attention and tailor their care to meet the individual needs of each senior. This can include assistance with medication management, wound care, IV therapy, postoperative care, and other medical needs.
In addition, seniors can receive help with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, and meal preparation. This can help seniors maintain their independence and quality of life.
Key Takeaways:
- In-home care is an exceptional option for seniors that desire healthcare services in the comfort of their home
- In-home nursing care allows seniors to avoid traveling to unknown medical facilities and nursing homes. Other benefits include increased quality of life, personalized care, and respite care from personal or professional caregivers and family.
- Common services offered by in-home nursing care providers include medication management, wound care, palliative care, assistance with daily live activities (ADLs), IV therapy, and hospice care.
- When it comes to choosing the best in-home nursing care provider, always consider licensing and certification, experience and reputation, and availability.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the most prominent benefits of choosing in-home care for your elderly loved ones.
Top 5 Benefits of In-Home Nursing Care for Seniors
Increased Comfort and Convenience
More and more seniors prefer to receive care in their homes. Recent studies report that 90% of senior citizens would prefer to stay in their homes. For many, their homes are a place of safety and comfort. While trips to grocery stores or parks may start becoming a bit tedious in their older age, their home is a refuge.
Being able to receive exceptional nursing care in their homes rather than having to make travel plans to a clinic or hospital is the ultimate form of peace of mind.
They can continue to live in a familiar environment surrounded by their belongings, family, and friends. This can help reduce stress and anxiety, which can have a positive impact on their overall health and well-being.
Conveniently in their residence, seniors can receive personalized care that is tailored to their individual needs and preferences.
Improved Quality of Life
From the moment we take our first steps, humans tend to crave independence. Independent living is something most of value. Sure, we all need help now and again – but there is nothing more rewarding than tackling something head-on by yourself.
In this case, for seniors that could mean simply continuing their everyday activities and favorite hobbies.
Therefore, in-home nursing care can improve the quality of life for seniors by providing them with the support they need to maintain their independence.
Nursing care can help seniors manage chronic conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis, which can help prevent complications and improve overall health.
Beyond these medical conditions, private nurses and health aides seniors can receive assistance with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, and grooming, which can help them maintain their dignity and independence.
Decreased Risk of Facility-Related Infections
Unnecessary hospital visits or extended stays in long-term care facilities can be breeding grounds for germs. When your loved one receives care at home, they are also at much lower risk for contracting infections.
As cited by the National Institutes of Health, elderly folks are considered to be in a high-risk group for the development of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) due to senior’s declining immune system.
Therefore, in-home nursing care allows a senior to receive care in a safe space without the fear of developing a location-inspired infection.
Respite Care for Family
Until professional assistance is acquired, it is common for close friends and family to help their elderly loved ones.
This can be exhausting, emotionally taxing, and even cause resentment for family caregivers. This can all be avoided by choosing in-home health care services.
Respite care allows family members to take a break from caregiving responsibilities and focus on their own needs, such as work, family, and personal time.
How beneficial can this be for friends and family members? This can help reduce stress and burnout, which can have a positive impact on their overall health and well-being.
In addition, you can rest easy knowing that your elderly loved one is receiving professional care.
Personalized Care
In-home skilled nursing care provides seniors with personalized care that is tailored to their individual needs and preferences.
Every individual is unique and so are their medical care requirements. In-home nursing care allows seniors to receive customized care plans that fits their specific needs.
This can include medication management, physical therapy, wound care, IV therapy, palliative care, and more. This can help improve outcomes and prevent complications, which can have a positive impact on their overall health and well-being.
Overall, in-home nursing care can provide seniors with many benefits. Now that we have discussed some of the top benefits, let’s dive into some typical services that are offered by in-home nursing care providers.
Services Offered by In-Home Nursing Care Providers
In-home nursing care providers offer a wide range of services to seniors who require assistance with daily living activities, medication management, wound care, palliative care, physical therapy, IV therapy, hospice care, and more.
Assistance with Daily Living Activities
For seniors, simple and everyday tasks can present challenges. That isn’t even considering their hobbies and social activities.
In-home nursing care providers can assist seniors with daily living activities such as bathing, grooming, dressing, grooming, toileting, and feeding.
They can also help with mobility and transfers, as well as provide companionship and emotional support.
Medication Management
Senior care from a professional nurse may include helping them manage their medications by reminding them to take their medications on time, ensuring that they are taking the correct dosage, and monitoring for any adverse reactions or side effects.
In addition, the healthcare professional may assist with refills, reordering medication, and adhering to expiration dates.
Wound Care
One medical service offered by many in-home nurse care providers is wound care services to seniors who have chronic wounds or who are recovering from surgery.
They can clean and dress wounds, monitor for signs of infection, and provide education on wound care.
Palliative Care
In-home nursing care providers can provide palliative care services to seniors who have a serious illness or who are nearing the end of their life.
This may become long-term care or be vital, comforting care for a short period of time.
The nurse can manage pain and other symptoms, provide emotional support, and help families navigate end-of-life care decisions.
IV Therapy
In-home nursing care providers can provide IV therapy services to seniors who require intravenous medications or fluids. They can monitor the IV site for any complications and ensure that the IV is functioning properly.
IV therapy is very meticulous, so having a health care agency provide a licensed nurse for this service is critical.
Hospice Care
In-home nursing care providers can provide hospice care services to seniors who are nearing the end of their life. They can manage pain and other symptoms, provide emotional support, and help families navigate end-of-life care decisions.
This is a health service that is beneficial for the elderly individual in terms of comfort and their loved ones for peace of mind.
Post-Hospital and Operation Care
The transition from a hospital setting back to your home can be strenuous, especially for seniors.
Having a professional in-home nurse to assist after being discharged from a hospital will ensure a smooth transition and allow the elderly individual the best opportunity for a successful recovery. Plus, it greatly reduces the risk of post-surgical infection when a senior is able to move out of the hospital as quickly as possible.
This plan of care may entail medication management, surgical site care and monitoring, pain management, and medical education.
Choosing an In-Home Nursing Care Provider
If you discover that there are in-home nursing services and benefits that match what you are searching for for your elderly loved one, that is great.
So, the question becomes: what should you look for in an in-home nursing care provider?
Are there red flags to look for? Should you opt for health aide services or private duty nursing? What are typical care costs?
When it comes to choosing an in-home nursing care provider for seniors, there are several factors to consider. Here are some key things to keep in mind:
Licensing and Certification
First and foremost, it’s important to ensure that any potential provider is properly licensed and certified.
This means that they have met certain standards and requirements set by state and federal government agencies. Look for providers that are licensed by the state and certified by Medicare or Medicaid, as these are often indicators of quality care.
Most reputable healthcare providers will have background checks completed on their nursing staff, as well.
Experience and Reputation
Experience and reputation are also important factors to consider when choosing an in-home nursing care provider for specialized care.
Look for providers that have been in business for several years and have a track record of providing high-quality care.You can also check online reviews and ratings to get a sense of what other clients have experienced.
You also need to ensure that the nursing care provider offers the type of care that your loved one requires.
Cost and Insurance Coverage
Cost and insurance coverage are also important considerations.
While home health aides and agencies may be covered by insurance, some in-home nursing care is completely out of pocket.
Some providers may accept Medicare or Medicaid, while others may require private insurance or out-of-pocket payments. It’s important to clarify these details before making a decision.
While this may be a more costly option, it does come with benefits, such as:
- More in-depth, specialized care
- Less limitations and restrictions
- Greater scheduling flexibility
By carefully evaluating these factors, you can find a provider that meets your needs and provides high-quality care for your loved one. Take your time evaluating your care options, and choose the health care provider that aligns with your needs.
Preparing for In Home Nursing Care
Creating a Care Plan
Before starting in-home nursing care, it is essential to create a care plan. This plan will help to ensure that the care provider knows what the senior needs and how to provide it.
The senior’s physician can assist with this task.
The plan should include information such as the senior’s medical history, medications, and any current health issues.
It should also outline the specific tasks that the care provider will perform, such as administering medication, helping with personal care, and providing companionship.
Modifying the Home Environment
The home environment should be modified to ensure that the senior is safe and comfortable.
This may include installing grab bars in the bathroom, removing tripping hazards, and adding a stair lift if necessary.
For instance, if the elderly individual needs to use a wheelchair, make sure the furniture is spaced out to provide room for moving around the home.
The in-home nurse should also be aware of any potential hazards in the home, such as loose rugs or electrical cords.
Communicating with the Care Provider
Good communication between the senior and the care provider is essential for successful in-home nursing care.
The senior should feel comfortable discussing any concerns or issues with the care provider. It is in the best interest of both the private nurse and the senior.
The care provider should also keep the senior’s family members informed of any changes in the senior’s condition or care plan.
By taking these steps, the senior can receive the care they need while remaining safe and comfortable in their own home.
Get Exceptional in-Home Senior Care Today
If there is an elderly loved one in your life that you believe would benefit from in-home nursing care, contact NurseRegistry today.
For over a decade, NurseRegistry has offered exceptional private duty nursing care to seniors. From post-surgical care and medication management to hospice care, our licensed LVNs and RNs offer a wide variety of care services.
In addition, as a private pay solution, we offer excellent scheduling flexibility. In fact, if your loved one needs 24 hour, around-the-clock care – we can provide that.
Click below to learn more about how NurseRegistry can assist your loved ones today.
The post In-Home Nursing Care for Seniors: A Guide to Quality Care at Home appeared first on NurseRegistry.
from NurseRegistry https://ift.tt/1O6iEL0
Comments
Post a Comment