Medical services performed at home to address a chronic health condition or assist you in recovering from an illness, accident, or surgery are referred to as home health care. Some people seek home health care after experiencing a health decline or being diagnosed with a significant medical condition.
Here are some key details concerning the definition of home health care:
- Nursing
- Physical and occupational therapy
- Speech and language therapy
- Occupational therapy services
- Medical social services
- Treatment of wounds
- Educating patients and caregivers
- A home health assistant can assist you with daily routines such as showering and dressing.
The Term “Home Care” Is Defined As “Care Provided At One”
Home care is defined as assistance with everyday chores that allows people to remain safe at home. It is frequently used by elderly individuals with chronic illnesses, disabled persons, and people recuperating from surgery. Personal care, companion care, custodial care, and homemaker services describe home care.
Some examples of home care services are:
- Personal hygiene, including bathing, toileting, clothing, and grooming
- Cleaning and other household tasks
- Transportation
- Preparing meals
- Companionship
- Reminders to take medications
Licensed nurses and therapists provide “clinical” or “skilled” care in the home. The nature of home health care services is more medical. Home health aides can assist you with activities such as washing, grooming, and dressing until you can do it safely or have a caregiver who can. However, skillful nursing and treatment are the mainstays of care learned in medical career classes.
What Is A Home Health Nurse’s Role?
You will work one-on-one with patients in their homes as a home health care nurse. They might be aged, ill, or disabled, or they could be recovering from surgery, an injury, or an accident. In-home nurses can provide continuing care, support, and education to pregnant women and new moms.
Home healthcare nurses are classified as RNs, LVNs, or nursing assistants based on their credentials and experience. Each of them usually reports to a facility to get their daily assignment before going to their patient’s homes to provide the nursing care that has been prescribed.
The following is a list of common home care nurse roles and responsibilities learned during healthcare training solutions:
Nurses With A License To Practice
- Evaluates patient needs and collaborates with the physician to design a treatment plan.
- Works with the patient, family, and support personnel (LVNs and nursing assistants) to coordinate and manage the treatment plan.
- Keeps the patient’s response to therapy, medicines, and healing or mobilization progress.
- Is in charge of case management.
- Assists with ADLs (activities of daily living), such as mobility, bathing, grooming, and toileting.
- Provides medicines and intravenous infusions to patients.
- Takes vital signs, does lab tests, and looks after wounds.
- Attends to home health patients’ wounds and other needs.
- Coordinates home care with clinical healthcare specialists.
- Conducts physical examinations.
Nurses With A License To Practice Vocational Nursing
- Oversees the work of nurse assistants and task-based nursing.
- Keeps an eye on the patient and notifies any changes or concerns of the supervising RN.
- Aids with activities of daily living and mobility.
- Provides medicines and intravenous infusions to patients.
- Monitors vital signs and treats wounds.
Assistants To Nurses
- Informs the supervising LVN or RN of any patient concerns.
- Assists with movement and activities of daily life.
- Provides task-based nursing care to patients.
You will have a lot of freedom if you work as a home care nurse. You can work with one patient full-time for a long period or visit many patients every day. Moreover, you can specialize in one or more aspects of home care, including gerontology, pediatrics, medical or surgical care, community or public health care, and psychiatric or mental health care, to name a few.
Conclusion
Working as a home nurse also gives you more flexibility and autonomy than working in a traditional nursing setting and the opportunity to choose your schedule. While many in-home nurses are registered nurses, it is also a great entry-level work for LVNs or registered nurses who want to gain more experience and medical career training.
Medical Career Academy is dedicated to providing the highest possible education in various health-related fields to each student. We give students a hands-on, real-world experience and a digital experience created by highly qualified and experienced educators. Medical Career Academy provides each student with the confidence and education necessary to practice medicine. Learn more about our medical career classes today!