Determining the difference between home care and home health services is often confusing for families who are looking for help meeting their senior loved ones’ needs. These two types of services are very different, but they may sometimes be combined to help seniors who are living with multiple challenges at home. Understanding the difference between the two makes it possible for you to pick the best solution for giving your loved one a safe and nurturing home environment.
Health Care Is Often Prescribed by a Doctor
Home health care services tend to be more formal and directed at a specific need. A physician might prescribe health care services for a senior who is recovering from an illness or injury at home. For example, your loved one might need a nurse to stop by the house to administer a breathing treatment or perform wound care. Physical therapy is another type of service that falls under the umbrella of home health care.
Home Care Provides Nonmedical Services
Seniors often have needs that don’t require the aid of a licensed nurse or medical doctor. This is where in-home care comes in. Home caregivers are also highly trained people who have special places in their hearts for seniors and others who need assistance at home. However, they don’t perform medical procedures. Instead, they may drive seniors to and from their doctor appointments. They’ll also perform tasks such as housekeeping and cooking so seniors have their essential needs met at home. Depending on your loved one’s needs, a home caregiver may stay overnight to provide supervision during bathroom breaks or times when your loved one is awake.
Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age may benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional elderly home care Cincinnati. Assisting Hands Home Care is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life.
Health Care Tends to Be More Clinical
A home health care worker will engage your loved one in conversation, but the main mission is to tend to medical needs. You could think of health care services as being a lot like a doctor visit or physical therapy appointment, except that it happens in your loved one’s home. Home health care providers typically have a friendly demeanor that keeps seniors engaged and comfortable during medical procedures, but they won’t have time to engage in more lengthy conversations.
Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of elder care. Cincinnati families may rely on Assisting Hands Home Care to provide individualized care plans to meet their elderly loved ones’ unique care needs. Our caregivers help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and we offer mentally stimulating activities that may stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia.
Home Care Includes More Companionship
Home caregivers might not perform medical services, but they do assist with important needs, such as planning nutritious meals, assisting with incontinence care, and watching for signs of concerning new symptoms. They also take things to another level regarding their relationships with the people in their care. Home caregivers offer companionship medical professionals don’t have time to provide during their visits. A home caregiver might read with your loved one, help him or her plant a garden, or engage him or her with brain games to build memory skills. When visiting regularly, a home caregiver often feels more like a friend than someone who is providing a service. This hands-on approach helps seniors feel socially engaged and cared for by people they enjoy spending time with.
For families living in Cincinnati, senior care may be a wonderful solution when their aging loved ones need companionship and socialization a few hours a week or just need minor assistance with daily household tasks. At Assisting Hands Home Care, we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home. Call us at 513-993-5025 to learn about our comprehensive in-home care plans.
