While being a caregiver for an elderly loved one can be rewarding, their worsening medical conditions and the natural, progressive aging process can eventually make the work overwhelming for you. You may begin to feel that help from outside would benefit both you and your loved one. Whether you need a few hours away each week to run errands or your loved one requires more comprehensive nursing support, in-home care services can help. Read on to learn about the different types of home care and home health care workers.
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Nearly 80% of seniors wish to stay home for as long as possible [01] and age in place where they’re most comfortable. In-home care can make their dream a reality. Provided in a patient’s personal residence, in-home care services range from companionship to medication management. They also include transportation, assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), and even specialized medical support.
Home care workers can help seniors who:
Hiring an in-home care worker can help your parent retain their independence while also receiving top-notch support. Depending upon your loved one’s medical condition and what services they hope to utilize, there are in-home caregivers to fit their unique needs.
Our free tool provides options, advice, and next steps based on your unique situation.
Professionals providing care services at your place of residence are classified as in-home caregivers, but there are many types of home caregivers. A home health care worker is trained and certified to provide medical or nursing services, while a home care worker offers nonmedical support like personal care and companionship. The distinction may seem small, but the services offered are very different.
When you’re considering your parent’s needs, it may be obvious what type of care they require. However, many families find that a combination of home care and home health care is most beneficial for their aging loved one. Most home care agencies employ both home health and home care workers, simplifying the hiring process.
The services offered by home health care workers support seniors who are in need of medical support. If your parent is recovering from an illness, injury, or surgery, home health care workers can provide expert care. For seniors with chronic or progressive conditions, home health care services are extremely beneficial as they don’t require your loved one to leave the house to receive care. While home care agencies often have home health caregivers on staff, you can also hire in-home medical caregivers through local hospitals and clinics or Medicare offices.
Explore the following home health care worker qualifications and roles.
Home health nurses
For seniors who need basic or advanced nursing care, a home health nurse can help. The types of home health nurses are described below.
Background and qualifications:
Home health aides
Under the supervision of a home health nurse or another medical professional, a home health aide (HHA) can help with basic health care tasks. HHAs can provide assistance with ADLs, take care of meal planning and preparation, monitor vital signs, and more.
Background and qualifications:
Therapists
If your parent is recovering from an illness or injury or navigating a chronic illness, their doctor may recommend home therapy. Physical, occupational, and speech therapists are specialized professionals that can help seniors maintain or regain certain abilities.
Background and qualifications:
The home care worker definition described earlier explains that home care aides don’t offer intensive medical support. Home care services are ideal for seniors who want to retain their independence but need a little extra help or are experiencing isolation and loneliness. Whether your parent wants a friend to play a game of cards with or requires help with bathing and grooming, home care workers can meet their needs with a wide range of services. Home care agencies generally employ every level of caregiver, so they’ll be able to easily match you with local options that fit your loved one’s needs.
Explore the following home care worker qualifications and roles.
Home care companions
Companion care is focused on socialization and engagement. A home care companion will enjoy participating in a senior’s favorite activities, from playing games and reading together to going for walks or to local events. Companion services may also include the following:
Background and qualifications:
Personal care and home care aides
Many seniors will require a caregiver to help with personal needs and ADLs like bathing, toileting, and eating. Personal care and home health aides can help with these hands-on tasks. They can also perform housekeeping tasks like cleaning and meal prep. Some may be authorized to monitor vitals and administer medications under the supervision of a medical professional.
Background and qualifications:
Our advisors help 300,000 families each year find the right senior care for their loved ones.
Once you’ve determined what kind of in-home caregiver would best support your aging parent, it’s time to kick off the hiring process. Whether your parent needs full-time care or short-term respite support, in-home caregivers will work to develop a plan and establish a schedule that meets your loved one’s unique situation. Our step-by-step guide to hiring a home caregiver can assist you throughout the planning process.
If you’re simply not sure how to start creating a home care employment plan, we can help. At no cost to your family, A Place for Mom’s Senior Living Advisors will work with you to find the right care option for a loved one. From compiling a list of local in-home caregivers to arranging interviews, our experts aim to make this process as seamless as possible for caregivers and their loved ones.
Binette, J. (2021, November). 2021 Home and community preference survey: A national survey of adults age 18-plus. AARP Research.
The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical, legal or financial advice or create a professional relationship between A Place for Mom and the reader. Always seek the advice of your health care provider, attorney or financial advisor with respect to any particular matter, and do not act or refrain from acting on the basis of anything you have read on this site. Links to third-party websites are only for the convenience of the reader; A Place for Mom does not endorse the contents of the third-party sites.
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