Home nursing care as an alternative to moving into a nursing home for the elderly is often the preferred option. When people have spent a lifetime in their homes and they have established routines and feel comfortable there, they most likely would like to spend their golden years at home where they have so many memories.
But when advancing age brings illness and limited mobility, aging parents need help and support. Home nursing care is a good first step to consider when your goal is to keep mom and dad at home where they feel happiest and the safest.
There are a whole host of issues that must be considered when your parents have reached an age where it’s clear that they need help taking care of themselves at home. People need to feel independent, comfortable and safe. If the children of aging parents are not able to provide what their parents need, then it’s time to consider what kind of help to bring in.
There are several degrees of home health care providers available depending on what your aging parents need.
Certified Nurse’s Aid/Home Health Aides:
CNA’s receive medical training, and they are able to assist clients by taking temperature, pulse rate, respiration rate, or blood pressure.
They can prepare meals, remind the client to take their medication, do light housekeeping and laundry, change linens, shop for groceries, run errands, read to the client, provide assistance with pets, etc.
CNA’s can also observe and track the client’s physical, mental and emotional state and report on any adverse changes.
Licensed Practical Nurse/Licensed Vocational Nurse:
LPNs and LVNs receive extensive training in a two year practical nursing education program after which they become licensed. They can monitor vital signs, apply and change dressings, treat and prevent bedsores in bedridden patients, maintain medical documents, drawing blood, managing medical equipment, administering medications and handling IVs in certain instances.
Registered Nurse:
The RN is trained extensively and is licensed. The main difference between a registered nurse (RN) and an LPN/LVN is their ability to assess the patient and write a plan of care. Their duties might include such tasks as giving injections, maintaining medical files, communicating with doctors on behalf of patients, managing CNAs and LPNs/LVNs.
The costs for in home health care for the elderly depend on whether you need companion care, home health aides or the services of an LPN or RN. According to the American Elder Care Research Organization, the average cost to stay in a US nursing home for one year is $76,680, so if your aging parents do not have medical needs it is definitely more cost-effective to keep them in their homes and hire private home nursing care.
Firstat Nursing Services which is the only Homecare agency in San Diego that is both state licensed and certified by the Alzheimer’s Association. Firstat Nursing Services has been providing a higher standard of home nursing, home health and homecare for elderly, disabled and injured people in the greater San Diego area since 1997. Pick up a copy of the Free Report “Critical Questions You Must Ask Before You Hire a Home Care Provider,” go to http://FirstatofSanDiego.com.
