De-bunking common myths about home health care- Part 2. Learn more about home care services at www.brightstarcare.com/home-care.

1. Home Health Care Myths
De-Bunked: Part 2

2. “ The need for homecare is growing, and so are the
number of questions people have about it.
”
In a recent blog entry, we faced five common misconceptions about
home health care head-on, and now we're topping it off with five more
because, when it comes to your health or that of a loved one, there is
no room for compromise.

3. 1 If I get home health care, I have no say in who my
caregiver should be
Caregiver compatibility is imperative due to the personal nature of
homecare. When you arrange for a care professional to come into your
home, you must ensure that you find someone you can trust.
Each family should be matched with a caregiver with whom they are
comfortable, which is why family members should must identify what
they would like in a caregiver and be upfront about this with your
homecare provider.

4. 2 I may need homecare, but it is unsafe to invite a stranger
into my home.
From a security standpoint, if you are dealing with a qualified, reputable
agency, you should feel safe in arranging for help in the home.
From a medical standpoint, studies show that the home can be a safer
than the alternatives and not only because of the one-on-one care. One
study indicated that half of infections could be linked directly to
hospital care.

5. 2 I may need homecare, but it is unsafe to invite a stranger
into my home.
Another study reported that, given they are seeking the appropriate
treatment for their condition, patients with chronic heart disease fare
better at home versus the hospital.
And, ultimately, remaining home can be less stressful because it is
familiar, which can foster a sense of calmness and comfort for patients.

6. 3 I only need help with basic hygiene care, so I don't qualify
for homecare.
However basic your needs, there should be no limit for a homecare
provider to assist you. Be sure to find a home health care agency that
can provide the full range of homecare, from basic peer-level
companionship and hygiene assistance to highly skilled nursing and
therapy.

7. 4 We had an emergency at 3 a.m., but we'll just have to wait
until normal business hours to get help at home.
When you and your family face an urgent situation, the last thing you
want to do is wait around. Read these first time parents' story about
finding newborn care at 3 a.m. Find a provider that can provide 24/7
customer service and assistance.

8. 5 Until I know exactly what we need, I don't need in-home
care.
You don't need to know, that's what qualified homecare professionals
are here for. Just make sure any agency you turn to offers R.N.
oversight on every case to ensure all of your loved one's needs (from
safety, health and everything in between) are accounted for.

9. Take this case from one of our homecare agencies as an example:
An elderly woman who was looking for basic bathing and shopping
assistance was found to have been suffering from cellulitis
unbeknownst to the woman's daughter and hidden under her sock - all
because an R.N. is required to perform an assessment on every case, no
matter what kind of assistance is being provided.
Do you have a question about home health care?
Ask us, or share a comment now!

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