Although used interchangeably by many people, in-home care and home health care are very different and families in need of an extra pair of hands need to understand the difference between the two. Knowing which type of home care assistance suits the needs of your loved one can be challenging. Here is everything you need to know about in-home care and home health care.MANDATED CLINICAL CARE BY YOUR DOCTOR IS HOME HEALTH CAREFor starters, home health care needs to be prescribed by your doctor and administered by a certified nurse assistant, home health aide or licensed vocational nurse. In most instances, the available payment options include Medicare or private medical insurance. It is suitable for older adults that are recovering from serious health issues while at home. Vital services include the following:Administer medication and injectionsNutrition or intravenous therapyDisease management and health monitoringOccupational or physical therapyPain managementWound careNON-CLINICAL PERSONAL CARE IS IN-HOME CAREIn-home care focuses on providing help and companionship to seniors. Caregivers typically assist their patients with daily activities. The levels of care will, therefore, vary depending on their needs. Although these professionals can handle all the work that comes with senior care, they are not licensed medical service providers. Vital services include the following:TransportationAssistance with daily living activities like bathing, dressing, and groomingFinancial management and billsMeal delivery or preparationFriendship and companionshipHOW DO IN-HOME CARE AND HOME HEALTH CARE WORK TOGETHER?In numerous cases, an older adult may need the help of both a home health care provider and an in-home caregiver. For example, and individuals recovering from surgery will need specialized therapy and support with everyday activities. Here is a detailed look at scenarios when in-home care and home health care work together:While a home health aide can change medications when needed, an in-home caregiver reminds the seniors to take daily medications.A therapist will work with older adults on exercises to improve their general health. In-home personnel will encourage their patients to work on daily physical therapy exercises.HELP YOUR LOVED ONE STAY SAFE AT HOMEGiving seniors all the help, they can get while at home needs to be top of your priority list. At Family Tree In-Home Care, we have a dedicated team that provides personalized home care solutions to give you peace of mind. Ensure you contact us today to find out more about how we can help.

What to Expect When You Hire Home CareYou might ask a caregiver to prepare breakfast, or help with some basic household chores. Perhaps you need assistance transferring your loved one from the bed or transporting him to medical appointments, whatever your needs, licensed caregivers help by providing nonmedical care and companionship to older adults in the places they call home.How to Hire a CaregiverThe process of hiring a caregiver begins the moment you call an agency. Many licensed agencies can be found in this guide, others through a Web search, or by referrals from area senior centers or the county department of aging.After you reach out, most agencies will provide a free, in-home assessment to help identify the scope of care and then develop a comprehensive care plan for your loved one. You should also expect a home care agency to match your loved ones needs and preferences to a caregiver who shares similar expertise and interests. If the match doesn't lead to a comfortable connection, ask the agency to provide another caregiver. And don't be afraid to ask about caregiver training and agency hiring practices. The best agencies will adhere to rigorous requirements including criminal background checks, drug screenings, and a check of the driving records.Ongoing Updates and CommunicationWhile caregivers offer daily assistance, expect agency administrators to handle the business end of billings and scheduling. Some may even help families access their long-term care insurance to cover the costs of home care.This kind of administrative support allows the caregiver to do what she does best, care for your loved one and to document the daily routine so that family members and other care providers can stay up-to-date on the older adults needs. When hiring home care look for the agency that not only delivers compassionate care to your loved one, but also provides peace of mind for the entire family.Editors Note: Article author Sandi McCann is an expert on caregiver self-care and a trusted resource for families navigating the senior care process. She is the owner and President of the Colorado-based, HomeCare of the Rockies, Inc. and may be reached at 720-204-6083.

Its a startling fact: Twenty percent of the more than two million Medicare recipients who are sent home from the hospital, are readmitted within a month often with more severe health complications, according to data published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Ive seen many families go through this. While its not uncommon for older adults to continue to their healing in a rehabilitation facility for a time after a hospital stay, they often return home before they are fully recovered. They arent quite ready or strong enough to manage the range of complicated care needs they have during recovery. This leaves families scrambling trying to manage multiple medications, wound care, mobility issues, and household chores, while their loved ones recover. During this time, between hospital discharge and full recovery, older adults are more vulnerable and at higher risk for falls, medication mix-ups, infections, and other complications that can lead to rehospitalization and even death. But with some solid planning and the support of a coordinated care team including professional caregivers, family caregivers, discharge planners, and home health nurses and other care specialists, you can minimize the dangers for your loved one and make an easier transition home, says Sara Russell, RN, a senior care specialist and a caregiver trainer and educator.A smooth transition from hospital to home is essential, particularly for older adults with chronic conditions and complex care needs, according to a review in the American Journal of Nursing. It can ease stress, support healing, and recovery, and make everyone more comfortable. Thats a big reason many families choose to work with our qualified caregivers as they move their loved one home from the hospital. Our caregivers are trained through the Home Care 100 Advanced Caregiver Training Program in safe transfers, medication reminders, meal preparation, and other specific and complex care needs often required by patients after a hospital or rehab stay. We regularly drive and accompany our clients to medical appointments and can take detailed notes of the meeting for family members who cannot attend. This ensures that your loved makes their follow up visits which are key to recovery. Could a professional caregiver be helpful to your loved ones recovery? Its something worth considering as part of the discharge planning process.How to Plan for Hospital DischargeDischarge planning might begin soon after your loved one is admitted to the hospital. Hospital planners will sit down with you, your loved one, and other family members to begin talking about the kind of care that youll need to provide at home as your family member continues to heal. Theyll discuss things like follow-up care, home health care, which includes visits from a registered nurse or physical therapist to check on the patient, pain and wound care management strategies, and any home modifications that will be needed such as bringing a hospital bed, installing grab bars, picking up area rugs to support the senior. At this point, many families decide to hire a professional caregiver to help them manage the long-list of complicated care requirements older adults often have when they first arrive home from the hospital or rehab facility. Our caregivers can provide short-term support while your family member recovers. Then, as he becomes stronger and more independent, we can reduce or eliminate those care hours altogether to accommodate his changing needs. What else should you talk with discharge planners about? Ask about mobility support, so you know how to help your loved one transfer from bed to bathroom or chairs without risking injury to the both of you. And, medications, prescription schedules, potential side effects, follow-up appointments, and anything else that will influence your loved ones recovery and health. The answers to these and other questions will help you put things in place ahead of time to make the transition home less stressful for everyone.Questions to Ask Discharge Planners of Hospital Social Workers:When will my loved one be discharged home?How will he be transported there?Will he be able to get and out of the car on his own?What problems should I expect?Who do I call during the day and after hours if problems or concerns arise?How will care and treatment continue after discharge?Will home health providers nurses, therapists, etc. be coming to the house to provide care?What medications will he be on and what are some side effects can we expect from the medication?Will we need any medical equipment at home such as a walker, hospital bed, commode, oxygen tank?How will I get that equipment and who will install it in the home?Will my loved one need help bathing, dressing, eating, drinking, showering, toileting or with any other tasks of daily living?Is there any special care or treatment I need to learn how to deliver such as providing wound care, insulin shots, or other care?These are key questions I suggest families ask when meeting with doctors and hospital discharge planners. Feel free to print out our handy checklist of these and other questions to ask your discharge planner.Transitioning Home:In most cases, some modifications of the home should be completed even before your loved one is released. And this is another way a professional caregiver can help. We work with families to help prepare the home for easy access and will set up the patients room to fit their preferences and abilities. Well make sure the things he most needs and enjoys eyeglasses, hearing aids, phones, newspapers, television remotes are in close proximity. Moving key objects closer is another risk reduction strategy used to prevent seniors from reaching and potentially falling out of the bed or chair. Think of us as your safety net here to help your loved one avoid hospital readmission by making the transition home easier, safer, and a whole lot less stressful for you and your family. When you do arrive home, youre loved one will probably begin working with home health providers like nurses, therapists, and dieticians. Those visits will begin almost right away. You can also expect to have a number of follow up appointments at therapy and medical offices. You and your loved one will need to decide how he will get there and what kind of help youll need to move safely in and out of the car.Our caregivers often transport clients to medical appointments and regularly work in collaboration with home health providers. A professional caregiver can serve as a bridge between family members, medical providers, therapists, and pharmacists, Russell says. And, also help you establish a supportive daily routine that aids recovery and eases stress and helps your loved one avoid complications.

Aging brings a new and challenging set of trials to deal with both for a senior adult living alone and the people who care for them. Additionally, it can be challenging to differentiate between normal age-related changes and those that need extra attention. Those who head home for the holidays may notice a dramatic and alarming decline in their senior loved ones.You might be tempted to assume that its not something serious. However, some signs clearly show that your aging parent needs more assistance.HERE ARE FIVE SIGNS THAT YOUR SENIOR LOVED-ONE MAY BE IN DANGER AND THAT COULD INDICATE ITS TIME TO BRING IN ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL HELP FOR YOUR LOVED ONES SAFETY AND WELFARE.1. LACK OF BATHING AND POOR HYGIENEYou should check whether your senior loved one maintains a healthy hygiene routine. If they cannot take a bath or dress accordingly, it shows that they may require more help. As people age, they may develop body aches and pain and well as limited mobility, making it difficult to do simple tasks like changing clothes. If an older person has Alzheimers or dementia, maintaining proper hygiene can be problematic. If you are noticing signs of lack of proper hygiene, please seek help because poor hygiene can lead to other health problems.2. MALNUTRITION AND KITCHEN MISHAPSWhen loved ones are no longer able or desiring to prepare meals for themselves or have trouble operate kitchen appliances, you should seek specialized caregiver help. Kitchen mishaps like leaving the stove on or placing a gallon of milk in a dishwasher instead of a refrigerator are red flags to be on the look-out for.3. MOBILITY AND FALL RISKSYour loved one might be finding it challenging to move around their home. It could be that they have fallen severally or struggle to take the stairs. As we age, loss of muscle strength and the ability to balance can also lead to stumbles and falls.  Besides equipping their home with safety tools and giving them mobility aids, they should not be left alone.4. CONFUSION AND BEHAVIOR CHANGESIf you loved one is struggling to recognize familiar places like the grocery or places of worship, its time for extra support. If they often get lost or wander off in well-known places, these are tell-tale signs that your parent cannot navigate on their own. They may also become defensive and aggressive when they are lost and afraid. This happens because they cannot differentiate between the people they come in contact with or become disoriented by their surroundings.  They may feel as if they are constantly under threat.In addition to that, memory loss in general should also raise the alarm. If you notice that your loved one easily forget their belongings or frequently repeats themselves, you should have explore additional professional help .5. PILED UP PAPERWORKFinally, piled up paperwork can be a sign that your senior loved-one is struggling living alone. These could be unopened mails or bills from creditors and charities you are unfamiliar with. Your elderly loved one could be uncontrollably spending money, leaving them in debt. Besides, if their level of general house cleanliness has dropped significantly, say, there is an unusual odor in their house, they need a help.WHAT YOU CAN DOIf you notice any of these signs, please consider your loved one may need help. You can raise these issues first to the persons physician and subsequently consider additional in-home care.Family Tree In-Home Care provides traditional and non-traditional in-home care services such as meal preparation, personal care, transportation, and Alzheimers care, to name a few.So, whether the needs are daily, weekly, temporary, or long-term, Family Tree In-Home Care is here for you. Contact us and let our compassionate and professional caregivers take good care of your senior loved one.