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Home care and home health are two distinct types of care that are both provided in a home setting, however, most people are not aware of the differences and use these terms interchangeably.

The main difference is that ‘home care’ is non clinical while ‘home health’ is clinical care.

When it comes to home care, we’re talking about ‘supportive’ care. It provides support to those individuals who may have difficulty performing some daily tasks. Things like bathing/dressing, making meals, housekeeping, getting groceries or running other errands home care aid with. It provides a companionship and helps avoid risk of social isolation.

Home health is exactly what it sounds like – medical care provided in a patient’s home. It provides broad care given by medical professionals, including physical and occupational therapy, nursing care and speech therapy.

Home health care allows both home care and home health to work together in unison. Home health care allows someone to be within the comfort of their own atmosphere, while they still have the opportunities to do their normal daily activities and are still getting the medical service they need. This aid is equivalent to the care they would get at a hospital or skilled nursing facility.

So many benefits come along with home health care. It allows them to get better, regain their independence, become self-sufficient and maintain or better their current condition or level of function.

Because even if it’s sleeping in their own chair, drinking hot chocolate from their favorite mug or cuddling a pet, home health care can contribute to quicker recovery and better quality of life.

After  a hospitalization, most people would prefer to heal in the comfort of their own home. Similarly, most of the elderly population would prefer to stay at home rather than go to a nursing facility. Home health care provides many benefits to support various activities of daily living, while improving quality and longevity of life.

Here are 6 benefits to home health care that you may not realize, each improving you or your loved ones quality of life.

Healing Safety from Infection

As clean as a hospital may seem, think of all the sickness and infections lingering in the hallways. Being in your own home provides a security and a comfort from all the illnesses being treated to within in a hospital.

Health care can help you adapt your home to fit your needs.

Assessments can be made my engaging with a professional to come look at your home, to make sure it is suitable for you or your loved one. Afterward, they can provide helpful advice and tips for alterations regarding remodeling of a living space to make sure it is safely and effectively accessible for you.

Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy

In most circumstances, at-home physical therapy services are available. Providing comfort and a safety in dignity when in the warmth of your own familiar place. Another advantage is a therapist’s trained eyes can spot fall hazards or bathroom dangers and provide helpful insights.

Home health care can reduce falls and readmissions to the hospital.

If you’ve been hospitalized for medical illness or have had a recent surgery, you might have safety concerns at home, particularly the risk of falling, however the truth is that falls with resulting injuries are quite common in hospitals. There is a stability with being in one’s own familiar atmosphere and with home health care professionals with help at your fingertips.

Home care can help with housework

Perhaps your biggest concern is that you or a loved one will not be able to shower, cook, clean or run errands. They can’t take care of some of their daily activities of living while making sure they’re safe and watched over. Home care can help in all areas of life.

Allows more freedom

Living in your own home obviously allows you to do much more than life within the hospital walls. Even if you or your loved one can’t do much but lay in bed, it allows more freedom to function independently and safely in your own home.

There are so many ways Home Health Care increases both you and your loved ones longevity and quality of life. Get a No Obligation Assessment today.

The demands of caregiving for a loved one can be overwhelming. Caregiver burnout is the state of emotional, mental and social exhaustion often accompanied with a rollercoaster ride of highs and lows.

Being a burnt out caregiver, it is tough to do almost anything. And this doesn’t mean just doing anything for your loved one but it is tough to do almost anything for yourself. In most circumstances the constant stress results in exhaustion, self neglect, anxiety and depression. The burnout is brought on by many reasons, such as;

Unrealistic Expectations: Many caregivers expect their help to have a positive impact, resulting in better health and happiness of the patient. However, most patients suffer from progressing diseases meaning you may never reach your goals that you have for the patient and their progression.

Role Confusion: This is actually a more common occurrence than you may first realize. When getting thrusted into a role of a caregiver, it’s hard to separate your role of a spouse, family member or friend. Creating difficult emotional and mental issues.

Lack of Resources: Many caregivers become frustrated or down on themselves and the situations when they place goals they do not have the commodities (money, skill, resources, etc.) to reach.

Although these are just a few, burnout can result in many symptoms;

Feeling resent, irritable, helpless and hopeless.

A change in appetite, loss of weight

Changes in sleep pattern

Getting easily sick/ New or worsening health problems

Unable to function properly

Neglecting own needs

A burnout is a common occurrence in caregiving. It affects you, your family and your patient. A home health professional can avoid you from reaching this point or help you back on your feet.

Home health care can be there when you aren’t able to be. It’s hard to give your near undivided attention to someone when you have other responsibilities. Stretching yourself too thin can, of course, aid to your burn out.

Easy Access to skilled medical care at home. Certified and licensed nursing is easily accessed to ensure that your loved one’s medial needs are quickly met .

Home health care support diet and nutrition. Going along with the last point, knowledgeable nutritional counseling helps protect loved ones from malnutrition.

Health care professional provide companionship. They help with social interaction and a somewhat active lifestyle. Sometimes frustration and discouragement builds when you see someone you love struggling and remember them once strong and healthy. Home health care professionals usually do not know the patient beforehand, meaning they only know them in their struggling state. They care and want to help but do not get overwhelmed when progression may be slow or non-existent as opposed to the feelings of a discouraged family member.

Home health care is such an affordable alternative to facility or hospital care, not only in price range but also when it comes to your mental and physical health. It can be just the support you or someone you know needs, to help manage caregiving responsibilities.