Levels Of Care At Home: Determining Needs And Understanding Options
Are you looking for home care for a loved one but not sure where to begin? Perhaps you’re seeing clues that mom or dad could use some help at home. Or maybe your search is more urgent as in the case of a pending hospital discharge that’s happening faster than you anticipated.
Stop. Take a breath. Silver Lining Home Healthcare can help you determine how much or how little care your loved one needs and provide that care in the comfort of his or her home.
Let’s start with how much care. We’ve devised a simple-to-use Level of Needs Calculator, as a tool to determine how much care someone needs. Use this as a guide, keeping in mind that every situation is different and for that reason, we always customize and tailor care for our clients. Our clients are all unique; their care should be, too!
LEVEL OF NEED CALCULATOR
The amount of care your loved one needs is part of the picture. The other part is the type of care needed. There are 2 types of care—non-medical/non-skilled and medical/skilled. Silver Lining Home Healthcare can provide both.
1. Non-medical/non-skilled – This type of care includes companion and personal care. It does not always require a physician’s order. Care can be provided by a companion who is not required to have medical training or by a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). A CNA is required to complete a state-approved program with practicum experience. Running errands, providing transportation, bathing, dressing, and cooking are all examples of the type of care provided at this level.
2. Medical/Skilled – This level of care always requires a physician’s order. It includes nursing and therapy services and can only be done by Skilled Home Health Agencies, like Silver Lining Home Healthcare. Care is always provided by a licensed professional, such as a Registered Nurse, a Licensed Practical Nurse, an Occupational Therapist, or Speech Therapist.
Sometimes, getting your parents or loved one to accept help can be a challenge. If you’re worried about having this conversation with them, speaking to a professional at Silver Lining Home Healthcare beforehand can help prepare you. Likewise, if you’re not sure about what exactly they need, don’t let a feeling of uncertainty stop you from learning more. We’re here to listen, advise, and if needed, devise a home care plan that promotes happier aging for your loved one and you.