Home caregivers can be of various types, and they provide services that are either skilled, custodial, or both. Senior citizens with illness or disabilities often require assistance with daily activities of life, such as dressing, bathing, grooming, and medication
Fremont, CA: Finding a responsible, trustworthy, and compassionate caregiver can be a stressful and time-consuming process. It is essential to find the right caregiver with all the good qualities to ensure good health and well being of a patient. Times are changing, and visiting medical facilities is prone to many risks than before. People are opting for in-home healthcare services for their well-being, which has led to an increase in demand for telehealth services. In-home healthcare is not just for those who fear contracting a virus but also for the old aged who may find it difficult to commute to a hospital for regular health check-ups.
Home caregivers can be of various types, and they provide services that are either skilled, custodial, or both. Senior citizens with illness or disabilities often require assistance with daily activities of life, such as dressing, bathing, grooming, and medication. To appoint an apt caregiver, it is necessary to understand what the patient requires. Identify areas where the person needs assistance. Know their likes and dislikes and consider their doctor’s opinion. This will help understand if the patient needs a home health aide or a medical caregiver. Remember to consider the three main certifications for home care attendants; Home Health Aide (HHA), Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)/Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA), and Licensed Vocational Nurse(LVN)/Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).
Home healthcare aides provide the most basic medical care level, like checking blood pressure and other body vitals. They are allowed to remind clients about their medication but are not permitted to administer any doses. In cases where patients require help to administer their medication, a certified nursing assistant should be hired. These are trained professionals who can observe and report changes in patient’s health, take vital signs, set up medical equipment, change dressings, clean catheters, monitor infections, conduct range of motion exercises, offer walking assistance, and administer medications required.
Skilled nursing assistants include licensed practical nurses who can evaluate, manage, and observe patients' health and provide the medical aid that a non-medical and home healthcare aid cannot provide. They are permitted to administer IV drugs, tube feedings and shots, change wound dressings, provide diabetes care, and educate caregivers and patients on what precautions need to be taken. Some of them even specialize in occupational, physical, or speech therapy.
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