Home health aides play a critical role in the care and comfort of hospice patients. Though they don’t provide medical services, their assistance allows nurses, physicians, and other medical professionals to meet the medical needs of patients.
Type Of Care Provided By Home Health Aides
A home health aide typically provides assistance with daily living activities encompassing mobility, hygiene, and nutrition. A hospice patient may receive assistance from a home health aide for the following tasks:
- Grocery shopping and cooking
- Eating (cutting up food into smaller pieces and feeding the patient)
- Personal hygiene (bathing, using the toilet, and dressing)
- Wound care and dressing changes
- Performing errands, such as visiting a bank or store
- Walking
- Driving
- Getting up or down stairs
- Household chores such as cleaning, laundry, and washing dishes
- Medication administration and management
Home health aides do not provide medically necessary services, such as infusion therapy, nursing care, nutrition services, pain management, psychiatric counseling, or therapy.
Who Needs A Home Health Aide?
Homebound, hospice, and chronically-ill patients may need the help of a home health aide. The help of a home health aide may be necessary for patients diagnosed with the following conditions:
- Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Chronic kidney disease
- Heart disease
- Cancer
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Recovery from illness or surgery
- Chronic illness or injury
Home health aides not only provide medical care but also act as a liaison between the patient, the patient’s family, and their physician. Home health aides record details regarding each visit and deliver updates on the patient’s condition to the doctor as needed. This helps ensure continuity of care.
Benefits Of A Home Health Aide
Individuals receiving home health care experience the following benefits:
- Convenience. At-home care doesn’t require driving to a medical facility.
- Expert care. Skilled professionals provide at-home medical services.
- Personalization. Home health aides follow the physician-prescribed plan.
- Budget-Friendly. Home healthcare is less expensive than hospitalization or long-term nursing care.
How To Obtain Home Health Care
A patient must obtain a detailed care plan from their physician and communicate with their health care insurance company to receive approval for home health care. During an initial consultation with the patient’s primary care doctor, the physician will assess the patient’s symptoms and needs and develop a comprehensive, personalized treatment plan. The patient’s family members and caregivers are encouraged to play an active role in pursuing professional home health care.
The home health aide assigned to the patient will be instructed in all physician orders and will provide regular updates to the physician on patient progress. The intensity of care will depend on the patient’s condition. Hospice patients nearing the end of their life will need around-the-clock care. All home health care services will be tailored to the patient’s needs.
Why Choose Comforting Care Services
Our team of nurses, home health aides, and medical professionals supports the overall care of hospice patients nearing the end of their life. The needs of every patient are assessed to ensure they receive personalized care at every stage.
