Not only has technology enabled us to live longer, healthier lives, but when illness strikes technological advances have provided us with more care options. When an illness or medical condition requires care, most individuals prefer to receive that care – when possible – in the place they call home. In-home care offers convenient access to trained professionals who are knowledgeable in many areas of medical care, as well as physical, occupational and speech therapy.
Home care is provided by two groups of professionals: nurses, physical therapists or social workers who are operating under physician orders, or home aides or companions who assist with activities of daily living, such as cleaning, cooking, bathing and dressing, among others.
Home care offers frail seniors personal care and medical attention in the comfort of their homes, but recent innovations have made the delivery of even more types of care possible. Items such as intravenous infusion technology, radiography, ultrasound, feeding pumps, ventilators, pulse oximeters, hand-held blood analysis devices and other technologically advanced devices – once found only in hospitals – are now relatively commonplace in the home. They expand the capabilities of home care and the ability of the home healthcare professional to provide quality care in the home.
If you have questions about whether in-home care is right for you or a loved one, or if you need home care, discuss them with your physician today. Your physician will determine and make necessary recommendations to see what, if any, extra support may benefit you or a loved one.