In another study published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), researchers found that around 54% and 19% of hospital admissions among the elderly had to do with the diagnosis or treatment of cardiovascular and respiratory tract diseases, respectively. But it does not end there; one study from the CDC found that some 300,000 older adults are hospitalized every year in the U.S. because of a hip fracture. Indeed, our health becomes a far more fragile thing as we get older. And in many cases, hospitalization is unavoidable, but sometimes, quality home health care might be the better option.

The Reality of Home Health Care in America

Many people often confuse home health care with hospice care, and while there are some similarities, the two are not quite the same. For those unaware, hospice care is a type of health care that focuses on the palliation of a terminally ill patient’s pain and symptoms as they approach the end of their life. Generally speaking, hospice care is ideal for individuals diagnosed with advanced-stage cancer or a similar terminal illness. Meanwhile, home health care is a healthcare model designed to help individuals cope with or overcome a specific health problem or, in some cases, deal with day-to-day life.It is also worth noting that home care is far more cost-effective when compared to hospital care. In fact, an article published by medicare.gov said home care was less expensive, more convenient, and, in many cases, as effective as the care provided in hospitals or skilled nursing facilities. Although providing top-tier medical treatment to individuals in their care is what companies that offer home health care services in Monterey CA, for example, do best, it is not all they do.

What makes providers of home care services a godsend to so many people is the number of services they offer. Some providers, such as VNA, a California-based hospice and home care company serving Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz, and South Santa Clara County, offer everything from companionship to medical care and everything in between. Having said that, whether they have a chronic health problem or not, the following are nine ways in which home care can benefit older adults:

1. Nutrition – As we get older, staying on top of our nutritional health becomes less and less of a priority. Of course, this is not intentional, but it is a reality. Caregivers with a licensed and reputable home care services company can remind older adults of the importance of regularly consuming healthy, nutrient-rich foods. After all, doing so benefits them both physically and mentally.
2. Medication management – Much like nutrition, some older adults don’t always take their medication when they should or as prescribed by their physician, both of which can have negative consequences. To help in this area, many home care companies have nutritionists and dietitians who work alongside professional caregivers to ensure older adults take their medications when and how they are supposed to.
3. Transportation – Often, medication management and transportation go hand-in-hand for older adults. Once they hit age 70, many adults will give up driving and rely on others to get around instead. Mindful of this, many registered nursing care providers are more than happy to drive older adults to and from their doctor appointments or to and from the pharmacy for their medication needs.
4. Personal hygiene – Caregivers with home health care companies routinely help older adults stay on top of personal hygiene. According to a study published by the University of California San Francisco, many older adults often find it hard to bathe regularly and keep up with other critical aspects of personal hygiene.
5. Companionship – For some people, the worst part of getting older is the loneliness that comes with it. And for some, loneliness breeds isolation, which, in turn, breeds depression. Along with helping individuals with their medical and day-to-day needs, professional caregivers often take on the role of a friend.
6. Break for family members and friends – When older adults live at home, many rely on family members and friends to help them with day-to-day living. Professional caregivers can take over some of their responsibilities, such as scheduling doctor appointments and grocery shopping, which allows family members and friends to take a much-needed break.
7. Shorter hospital stays – Sometimes, older adults will still need to spend time in a hospital due to injuries or chronic health problems. Some hospitals are willing to send older adults home early if they know they will receive quality care at home from a licensed professional.
8. Help with household chores – Rather than hiring a maid to help with household chores, some older adults or their children will enlist the help of a professional home healthcare service. Often, going this route is not only just as effective when it comes to taking care of household chores but also a lot cheaper.
9. Home safety – Another benefit of having a professional caregiver in one’s home is they can call first responders in the event of an emergency.

Bottom Line

In summary, professional home health care encompasses more than medical care alone. It is a health care model that focuses on an individual’s overall well-being. If you’re in Monterey or one of the neighboring counties and would like to learn more about home health care, consider speaking with a VNA representative today.