Why Home Care is a Safe Choice

Advantages of care at home

Home health care encompasses a wide range of clinical health care services delivered in the convenience and privacy of the home. Registered and licensed health care professionals such as nurses, aides and therapists provide short-term or long-term care, depending on a person’s needs. These high-quality services may include wound care, medication management, therapy and rehabilitative services. Home health often provides relief from the symptoms of a chronic medical condition or is part of recovery after an illness, injury or hospital stay.

Home health care has been shown to be just as effective and to provide greater cost savings than inpatient care. A recent study from The American Journal of Accountable Care also revealed patients treated in a home-based setting following a visit to the emergency room were significantly less likely to be admitted or readmitted to the hospital. Many risks that are increased in an institutional setting, such as infections, are minimized when care is given at home and interactions with outside parties are limited.

Home care, which sounds similar, refers to a different set of non-clinical services provided by aides with special training. These services may include providing companionship, assistance with personal care, help with household chores, meal preparation and transportation to and from appointments.

Many seniors want to receive care at home to maintain their independence (see How Senior Citizens Can Stay Fit and Healthy at Home) and continue to live in a familiar setting where they feel safe and comfortable. Aging in place often helps seniors remain alert and slows the advancement of memory loss, which can be heightened when moved to a new environment. Staying at home also supports retaining familiar social networks that can help seniors stay connected to friends and family in a secure setting.