Home Care and Home Health
Home Care and Home Health are separate services, both provided in a home setting, but to address different needs and with different goals in mind. Most people aren't aware of the differences and use these terms interchangeably, although the comparison between the two services shows a great difference.
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Home Care is a personal service that allows anyone who is struggling to perform any of the tasks of daily living required to safely live in their home. Some of these tasks may become difficult or impossible for people who are getting older, are chronically ill, recovering from surgery, or disabled. In-home care services include assistance with personal care, such as help with bathing, washing hair, trimming toenails, or simply getting dressed as well as cooking, cleaning, pet care, deep cleaning, going to appointments, and running errands. These services can be provided by personal attendants, as well as the Certified Nursing Assistants, Home Health Aides, and Nurses at Amazing Grace Homecare. The client does not have to qualify for services, and does not have to be home-bound. Home care is not covered by Medicare and a Home Health agency cannot provide assistance with activities of daily living like a Home Care agency can.
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Home Health services are also provided in a home setting, however the client must qualify for services based on Part B Medicare Benefits and be determined to be in a home-bound status. Home Health provides skilled nursing services in addition to speech, occupational, and physical therapy, for a short term (a few weeks usually) until the qualifying need has been addressed, then the client must be discharged from services. Even though the skilled need has been resolved, the client may still need assistance in order to avoid medication errors, falling, ER visits, weight losses, or other decline, so that's where Home Care comes in to assist as needed. Home Health cannot stay on service indefinitely, and can provide only the services Medicare will pay for.
Are you the sole caregiver to a family member? Struggling to make it work and hoping there are other options instead of a nursing home? Providing care for an elderly person can be overwhelming to everyone involved. Research has shown that seniors flourish when they remain in their homes with familiar surroundings, and that they tend to decline faster when moved from the home.
Deciding upon in-home care is a difficult and stressful choice that involves many factors including logistics, managing emotions, and affordability. Getting expert advice from a reputable source is your first step.
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Sometimes, people end up going to nursing homes because of single issues.
"There's so many pills, I just can't keep the medications straight anymore..."
"I have to work, and Dad might fall again if no one is there..."
"Mom does fine most of the time, but I'm not sure how often she eats a real meal.."
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It's no longer inevitable that these issues mean life in a nursing home. Amazing Grace Homecare provides screened, professional caregivers committed to helping you stay in your home for as long as possible.