It’s not a hard choice for many seniors: you can move out of your home and move into an assisted living community surrounded by strangers where you’ll be able to receive all sorts of care. Or, with some help, you can stay right where you are in your comfortable home are also get quality care.

For most people, the choice of staying put and learning about home health care services is usually the preferred option, since it doesn’t require the physical and emotional stress of downsizing and moving, sometimes in a hurry if there’s a critical health need.

Clients of Accredited Home Care have told us that while assisted living communities can be great for those who need higher levels of care, better security than their home may offer, or social interactions and activities that you may not get by living alone, they really can’t compare to staying in your home.

Plus, modern home health care also means more than basic nursing services and general medical care. We know that clients need these services but they also appreciate extra touches that can be provided by people who haven’t necessarily received formal training or degrees in medicine or nursing.

Regardless of formal skills or types of caregiving services available, many people can be part of a team to help a client, from massage therapists to aides who help with light housework or basic needs. All of them can help a client improve and sustain their quality of life, whether they provide medical services or general support.

Caregivers can also help connect with family members who also want to be assured that their loved one is getting the help and attention they need. Some close friends or family members also sometimes are placed into the role of caregiver, even if they don’t have formal skills either.

So our job sometimes includes supporting them and maybe offering a pointer or two so they can improve what they do and not get overwhelmed overly stressed with these duties. The person who benefits from all of this is the client who may have a whole group of people looking out for him or her with all sorts of skills.

Caregiving options

If you’re looking into career options, home health care may be an interesting place to start and get hands-on experience. You work closely with a variety of clients with different medical conditions or health needs. You go where they are, instead of a hospital or clinic, and can give them plenty of attention, rather than a hospital nurse who sometimes has to take care of a whole section at once during a shift.

You also have the chance to

Some examples of useful caregiving positions can include:

• Light housekeeping. If a client is in poor health or even has temporary mobility problems, then it will likely be a challenge to keep the house clean regularly. But a home health care aide may be able to assist with some basic upkeep, such as washing dishes, vacuuming, sweeping, or doing laundry. Just this light maintenance can make someone feel more in control. Perhaps they can have a housekeeper or family member help with deeper cleaning every so often, but regular light clean-up can go a long way in providing a client with peace of mind. And even someone with little medical skills may be able to help with basic cleaning. A client or a non-skilled caregiver for them will feel less overwhelmed if there’s help with cleaning.
• Meal prep. A client may be able to take care of their own meals, but they also might appreciate it when someone else offers to help once in a while. They can also sit and wait for their food to be ready, a privilege that some clients who worked hard for years never dreamt was possible. An aide able to help with meals can also make sure what the client is preparing and eating is good and good for them. They can also make sure any old, spoiled or potentially dangerous food never makes it to the client.
• Errand help. Whether it’s taking a list the client made to the grocery store or joining the client when they go shopping. these tasks can be helpful and useful. Clients will appreciate having someone to help them at the store, whether it’s lifting heavy items or gathering all the items for a recipe. That way, a client won’t have to wear themselves out by traveling somewhere alone. Having someone who the client trusts nearby can be reassuring to family members.

Along with these and other duties that just about everyone can perform, home health aides can also provide support and good conversation with their client. Having someone to listen to can be useful and helpful to a client who may want to have a good conversation and discuss life in general.

Please contact us for information about available positions and qualities.