There are many options in the world of senior care. Ventura, CA families must consider their options carefully when aging loved ones are struggling to care for themselves and family caregivers can’t be there every day, especially when there are chronic health conditions involved. Two options that people often get confused when making this decision are in-home senior care and home health care. While these may sound like different names for the same thing, they are actually two different types of care, which are sometimes used in conjunction with one another. The following definitions should help make the difference clear and help you and your family make the best decision possible.
Defining In-Home Senior Care
When people talk about in-home care, they’re typically referring to nonmedical caregivers for seniors. Ventura, CA seniors can benefit from nonmedical care because it helps them continue living their lives safely and comfortably in the dignity of their familiar home. While in-home caregivers are not required to have specific medical certifications, they are far from unskilled workers. Home Instead’s CAREGivers, for example, must all clear a background check and comprehensive screening in addition to completing a pioneering training program to ensure a high level of service for each and every client. Home Instead also takes pride in offering families customizable and affordable care services. Ventura, CA seniors and their families can benefit from the following types of nonmedical care:
- Companionship and socialization
- Meal planning and preparation
- Shopping, prescription pickup, and errands
- Setting the table and dining together
- Transportation to appointments, outings, and events
- Mobility assistance
- Laundry and light housework
- Medication reminders
- Personal care such as bathing, oral hygiene, dressing, toileting, and incontinence care
Defining Home Health Care
While home health care also involves a caregiver coming into a residential environment, the care is more medical in nature and requires specific certifications. Home health care may be administered by a registered nurse or by a home health aide who works under the supervision of a nurse. The medical services often require a prescription or recommendation from a doctor and may be short-term (such as for patients recovering from a surgery) or long-term (such as when a patient is living with chronic health conditions). Home health care may include administering injections, caring for wounds, monitoring vital signs and medical equipment, providing physical/occupational or speech therapy, and providing specialized care for specific conditions.
There may sometimes be overlap between these two types of residential care. For example, some home health aides may also provide companionship and personal care services. In other instances, registered nurses or home health aides provide specific services at regularly scheduled times and nonmedical caregivers come at other times to ensure around-the-clock care. The key is that with options like this, families are no longer limited to searching for assisted living homes near me. Ventura, CA seniors can safely remain in the comfort and dignity of home without creating an unrealistic burden for family caregivers and other loved ones.
Does in-home senior care sound like the right option for your family? Contact Home Instead today to learn more and set up a no-obligation consultation where you can discuss your needs and determine the right affordable care services for your unique situation.
