Home care can be an important component for your health and the health of your family.

 

When someone is disabled, from illness or injury they often need the help of their doctor,  who will diagnose the problem and  prescribe a treatment for it. In addition to the diagnosis and treatment the patient will often need help in their activities of daily living (ADLs)

Common ADLs include feeding oneself, bathing, dressing, grooming, work, homemaking, cleaning oneself after defecating, and leisure.

 

Assisting in activities of daily living are skills required in nursing and as well as other professions such as nursing assistants or personal care assistants. This includes assisting in patient mobility, such as moving an activity intolerant patient within bed. For hygiene, this often involves bed baths and assisting with urinary and bowel elimination. The assistant provides physical and emotional support.

The cost of such care is high, but worth it.

There are programs that can help pay for it, insurance that can help pay for it and personal and family resource that can pay for it. Sometimes, a family member may be the primary care giver. This is a very gratifying role but may cause a lot of stress to the caregiver. If possible, the caregiver should plan time for their personal needs and relaxation.

This can be done by coordinating with other family members, personal care assistants or programs to provide some of the care to allow the primary care giver time to relax and take care of themselves.

 

Resources:

Personal care assistants  : 

Visiting Nurses

Long term care insurance

Department of Social Services

Assisted living programs