Home Health Care

After a major surgery or serious injury, many elderly people are moved by their families into an assisted living or nursing home. Most people make this choice because it decreases the stress on support people and makes sure the proper care is being provided. Unfortunately, recovering in a new and often sterile environment can do more harm than good for a person recovering from a temporary or chronic illness.

Home health care makes it possible for an elderly person to recover in the comfort of their own home while still receiving the medical attention and aid required for a full recovery. Instead of taking the patient to the doctors, in-home care brings the doctors, nurses and assistants required to the patient's own home. Who wouldn't want to recover in familiar, comfortable and personal surroundings?

Did you know that studies have shown living at home is often the best choice for anyone living with a chronic illness or disability? It has been proven that a person maintains better physical and mental health when they are allowed to recover in their own homes. In-home care makes this possible for those who live alone and are unable to care for themselves.

One of the reasons in-home care helps recovery is that it provides a patient with the independence and self-dignity that is inherently stripped when they are checked into a home. Few cultures send their elders into nursing homes or similar structures when they are no longer able to care for themselves.

The men and women who just a few decades ago were the primary demographic are quickly forgotten when it comes to taking care of them in their old age. While nursing home improvement is evident over recent years, home health care is still preferable whenever possible.

Having a loved one needing constant care can be draining and stressful and often causes explosive arguments among family members. Few families have the resources and time to take on caring for someone full time. This is another way home health care is beneficial. Because the help comes straight to the patient's house, they are more able to customize the recovery schedule to meet everyone's needs.

Another benefit of home health care is that is comes with great flexibility. For instance, companion care helps keep patients from getting lonely during recovery and helps them get of the house to see friends. Other types of assistance available include running errands, putting on makeup, measuring out medication, housekeeping and maintaining personal hygiene. Specialized care is also offered for Alzheimer's, dementia and other specific illnesses.

Rather than take away the freedoms and dignity of an elderly person in chronic or temporary ill health, in-home care allows them to be in the most comfortable place possible while they are under the weather. Sleeping in your own bed, cooking in your own kitchen, sitting in your own living room, bathing in your own bathroom - all these comfortingly familiar places will help keep your loved one happy and healthy during their illness.