Private home care is the care of a person in their own home, provided by a nurse or other health professional. The term can be used to describe a variety of professionals, including a licensed nurse (RN or LPN) and a home health aide.
Visiting Nurse Private Home Care
Visiting Nurse Private Home Care is a way to remain in your home while obtaining quality medical attention. Visiting nurses provide patients with the care they need to recover from a variety of ailments, including strokes and brain injuries.
This service is provided by companies such as AccentCare, which boasts of 700 sites in 41 states. This company’s offerings include a telemonitoring platform that delivers biometric data in real time, which can be very helpful to chronic patients.
In fact, this organization is ranked by Consumer Reports as the second largest provider of home health care services in the nation. They also offer an on-call medical and nursing service, available at all hours of the day and night.
While you might not have heard of this organization, they can make your life easier and help you to get better. Their services include rehabilitation, hospice and Alzheimer’s care. For those who need something more than a hand up, they also offer a wide range of private pay options.
Home health aides
Hiring a private home health aide can be very beneficial. Whether you have an elderly family member who requires a bit of help with daily tasks, or you need someone to take care of your pets, hiring a private home health aide can be a great solution.
It is important to select a caregiver who is a good fit for the patient. For example, if the patient is a person with a disability, they may not be able to perform activities of daily living. If the client does not have a driver, they may need a companion to help them get around.
Home healthcare workers are at greater risk for discrimination, wage theft, and sexual harassment than their traditional counterparts. However, they do have protections. In New York City, for instance, home health aides are entitled to two days of paid time off per year after one year of employment.
Nursing
Private home care nurses provide specialized medical attention in the comfort of a patient’s home. These RNs can help with wound care, medication management, tube feedings, and other essential medical services. They can also provide companionship and light housekeeping.
Unlike certified home health agencies, private home care providers may not provide continuous nursing care. Instead, they work on a limited schedule, providing two hours per service authorization. If a client needs more than three months of care, the nurse must obtain approval from a physician or other health professional.
Many private home care agencies require a candidate to have at least three years of bedside experience before becoming a registered nurse. This is to ensure that they are a good fit for the client.
It’s important for patients to feel comfortable in their own homes, so many prefer hiring a private nurse. With the right attention to detail, a caregiver can make an immense difference in the life of a patient.
Long-term care shift from institutional settings to private home care
Currently, about 10.3 million Americans are eligible for long-term care services. Some are provided at home while others are based in nursing homes and other institutions. These services include housekeeping, transportation, personal care, social services, and medical care. The costs vary based on the level of care required.
Medicaid is the primary payer for long-term care services. While the number of people using LTSS has increased, funding incentives have shifted more to private home care.
States face an increasing challenge in meeting the long-term care needs of older adults, especially those who are frail. State policymakers are looking for ways to improve the system. One initiative involves training and re-training workers. Another is to focus on quality of care.
Many states are working to expand their home and community-based services, including those that are subsidized by Medicaid. However, these programs can be inconsistent in coverage and access.
Cost
If you are looking to hire private home care for an elderly family member, you have many options to choose from. Prices vary and depend on your needs and the area in which you live. The cost of a private home care package can be quite a bit cheaper than the costs of an aged care facility.
Many home care services are paid by insurance, managed care programs, and government health programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. In addition, the Department for the Aging may pay for these types of services.
One of the most expensive options is having a 24-hour caregiver in the home. This type of service requires two to three people.
Another option is to have a telemonitoring system that notifies family members if the patient misses a medication or vital sign.