Are In-Home Nursing Services Right For Your Parent?
One of the unfortunate truths of aging is that we are less able to care for ourselves. For children of aging parents, this can often mean a greater burden as health care issues pile up and more and more time is required to care for parents who are no longer able to care for themselves. In-home nursing services are one possible solution to this dilemma. These services provide patients who are unable to easily leave the house with regular medical care, easing the burden on loved ones who no longer need to transport their parents or relatives to health care professionals.
Who Needs In-Home Nursing?
In-home nursing services are most commonly used by the elderly, although they are also sometimes used by those with disabilities or by the parents of children with developmental difficulties. Visiting nurses are useful for anyone who is unable to easily leave their home without help. The frequency of in-home nursing care can vary depending on patient need as well. For some patients, nurse visits may be required several times per week. For others, the frequency may be as little as once a month or less.
Medical Services Offered
In-home nurses provide a variety of medical services based on the specific needs of their patients. The agency that provides the healthcare services can work with the patient or a caregiver to determine the best plan for care. These services can range from basic living assistance to more in-depth medical care. The options available include, but are not usually limited to:
Assistance with medication planning -- Home health care aides are more appropriate for the daily management of medication, but in-home nurses can help to ensure that a patient is taking the right medication and that there are no harmful interactions or side effects that make daily living more difficult.
Basic monitoring of on-going health issues -- For patients who need regular monitoring, visits by home health care nurses can be a literal lifesaver. Regular checking of vitals can catch problems before they develop and potentially before they require major medical intervention.
Check-ups for non-emergency medical conditions -- If a patient is suffering from a non-life-threatening condition, in-home nurses can provide regular checkups to make sure that a condition is improving.
Insurance Considerations
Medicare will usually cover home health care for elderly patients and private insurance will evaluate the need for care on a case by case basis. Always check with your insurance provider (or the patient's insurance provider if you are a primary caregiver) before starting a plan for home health care. Some plans may limit the number of hours covered for visiting nurses, but provide a greater number of hours for home health care aides
Contact a company like Assured Home Nursing Services Inc for more information and assistance.
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