What Level of Home Care Do You Need?
Home care services cover a wide range of health and social services for individuals recovering from surgery or an injury, those with disabilities and chronic conditions, or people with terminal illnesses. Services can range considerably in scope and often can be tailored to meet your needs. Keep in mind that Medicare does not cover 24-hour home care, personal care, homemaker or chore services (or any services not "medically-necessary" but considered to be "custodial care"). If you are considering home health care, use this guide to help you decide which option is best for you.
Registered Nurse (RN)
Care provided by an RN is typically supervised or prescribed by a physician. An RN has two or more years of training and is licensed by the state. This highly skilled level of care includes trained professional services for individuals recovering from surgery or an accident, or with more complex medical needs which can be addressed in a home setting (such as wound care, injections, intravenous therapy, ventilator care, disease treatment and patient assessments). Some RNs also provide care management services.
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)/Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA)
LPNs (sometimes referred to as a licensed vocational nurse or LVN) has one or more years of nursing training. A certified nurse assistant (CNA) has a certain number of hours training in both hands-on service and classroom work. Both these categories usually work under the supervision of an RN. Specific care provided may include some traditional nursing, if individuals are sufficiently trained, and personal care.
Home health aide
These home care workers assist people with activities of daily living such as getting out of bed or up from a chair, walking, dressing, bathing and toileting. Some aides have specialized training to perform more complex tasks (like health monitoring, catheterization) under the supervision of a trained nurse.
Personal care assistant or attendant
The above terms usually refer to individuals who care for people with disabilities to assist with basic needs, transportation, communication, etc. Personal care assistants are usually hired independently and may or may not have professional certification or specialized training. Typically, they help disabled individuals get up, get dressed, bathe, and accompany them in getting to work, recreation or medical appointments.
Homemaker/home chore worker
This category of home care worker typically performs light housekeeping duties including meal preparation, shopping, laundry, and clean-up. Depending on the level of training, this person may assist with organizing paperwork, or making phone calls. Such individuals are hired to help complete household tasks and generally do not perform personal, hands-on care.
Home care companion/friendly visitor
These individuals provide companionship to those who are homebound individuals. They may perform limited tasks (such as preparing lunch) but generally their duty is to provide company and/or supervision of the person in need. Companions may be paid employees or volunteers.
Dieticians
These health care professionals provide nutritional counseling and guidance to help individuals manage the relationship between nutrition and illness (e.g., diabetes, heart disease, etc) or disability.
Speech therapist
These rehabilitative therapists assist individuals with communication disorders resulting from disease, injury, surgical intervention or a stroke. Speech therapists help their clients regain lost speech, cope with aphasia, and learn special techniques to aide in swallowing, breathing, and muscle control.
Occupational Therapist (OT)
An OT is trained to help individuals learn ways to cope with or compensate for limitations in performing activities of daily living. Often prescribed by a physician, an OT can help teach someone to use a walking device or other rehabilitative equipment. OTs can help train both the care recipient and caregiver in techniques to improve mobility or make household routines easier.
Physical Therapist (PT)
A PT is usually prescribed by a physician to assist a person with a disability or physical injury to improve physical functioning. PTs have extensive training in anatomy and musculature and can teach exercises designed to promote or restore strength. PTs may use equipment, training materials, massage or other techniques. A PT may also be useful in training caregivers in safe lifting or bending practices.
Knowing the level of home care provider needed is a key element in both understanding your loved one's needs and future budgeting. The next step is to determine where to find the best qualified person to meet your needs.
Senior Meal Plans
If your loved one is content on his or her own and only needs a bit of help in the kitchen, consider turning to a senior meal plan solution. Golden Cuisine, developed in partnership with ConAgra Foods and Meals on Wheels Association of America, now offers over 40 specially formulated and delicious senior meals for purchase online. The meals are offered in packages of seven or more, and are delivered frozen to the doorstep of your loved one by UPS.
For more information please visit:
Los Angeles Department of Public Social Services: Elder Services
