Staying in the comfort of your own home can help maintain your independence as well as allow you to stay home longer. It is sometimes hard to accept that you or your loved one requires support. There are several options out there for the extra support needed. If a senior-living facility or retirement home does not appeal to you, then home Health Care may be the right choice for you or your loved one. Choosing home healthcare can be an emotional and confusing process for you or your loved one. Doing your research will benefit the care you receive. Checking out reviews of the providers you’re interested in will also help choose the right one for you or your loved one.
Several healthcare services are available to perform in your own home. Having a healthcare professional visit you to perform these tasks are possible. Professionals such as a nurse, a personal support worker, a social worker or an occupational therapist are all available options. These healthcare professionals are all well trained and bonded before entering your home. The first thing to do is check with your insurance company to determine what coverage is available to you. There may be extra costs to you or your loved one, depending on your coverage. If you do not have coverage, you could always research with the Government of Canada to find out if you or your loved one qualify for funding towards home health services. Medical services available through Homecare vary depending on you or your loved one’s needs.
Wound Management
Wound management is the treatment of a wound supporting the healing process for the prevention of skin breakdown. You may search for a specialized nurse in your community from Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy & Continence Canada.
Ostomy Care
Ostomy is a surgically created opening in the abdominal wall that results in the external diversion of feces and urine. An ostomy may be permanent or temporary, and each procedure results in a stoma, which is the end of the small or large intestine that can be seen protruding through the abdominal wall. According to the Registered Nurse Association, key concepts are available at RNAO.
IV Therapy/Infusion Therapy
Infusion therapy is also known as intravenous or IV therapy. It is a way to give fluids, drugs, nutrition or blood and blood products to a person using special hollow tubes called “catheters”. IV therapy may last for as little as a few days to as long as many months, depending on your health. RNAO (Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario) has provided a free fact check download.
Chronic Disease Management
According to the Centers For Disease Control & Prevention, Chronic diseases are defined broadly as conditions that last 1 year or more and require ongoing medical attention or limit activities of daily living or both.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic condition when your body cannot produce insulin for the body to use sugar as energy. You may find more information on Canada’s guide to Diabetes here.
Palliative Care
Palliative Care is when you or a loved one has a life-threatening condition or a serious illness where you need end of life care. It’s an approach to care for the patient and places their values and wishes as the top priority of the treatment. According to Health Canada, Palliative care can be provided in various settings, such as hospitals, at home, long-term care facilities and hospices (a home for people living with a terminal illness).
It’s only natural to want to stay in the comfort of your own home. If it’s possible to do so, looking into which healthcare providers are available in your community is a great start. Each person’s needs will vary. Depending on your general health, mobility and also financial situation a plan will be put into place. With home health care, a healthcare professional will visit you in your own home. If you need transportation to and from appointments or errands, this is also something you could add to your plan. The possibilities are endless with home health care. Talk with your family members or healthcare provider to perfect the type of program to suit your needs. It’s essential that you or your loved one is comfortable with the person coming in their home. If you’re not satisfied, you may always request another health care professional within the company. Home healthcare provides a wide variety of services. Whether you need assistance managing tasks yourself or you need complete support, the options are there:
- Bathing & Toileting
- Feeding
- Skin Care
- Hand or foot care
- Mobility
- Dressing/undressing
- Basic cleaning
- Shopping
- Laundry
- Medication administration
You or your loved one can adjust the care plan accordingly with your provider. You may customize it to the needs or wants as you feel fits. According to the Government of Canada, the goals of home healthcare are to help people maintain or improve their health status and quality of life.
Home healthcare allows the individual to maintain their independence & dignity, allowing them to remain in the comfort of their own home.