Is the need for home health care growing? What types of services does home health care provide? Is it only for older adults?
Before answering these questions, consider a couple of key stats: According to a 2015 study, “about 34.2 million Americans provided unpaid care to an adult age 50 or older in the last 12 months.” That same study found nearly 17 percent of Americans provide care for an adult (age 18 or older) with a disability or illness.
So “yes” is the simple answer to the first question. As the Baby Boomer generation continues to grow older, the need for home health care continues to grow, too. With this rising need, family members are often left carrying the load of caring for their parents or loved ones. Combined with work, home life and other daily responsibilities, the net result may be caregiver burnout, a state of physical and mental exhaustion.
For many individuals and families, home health care can provide welcome relief and added peace of mind—whether they’re recovering from an illness or injury, need a little extra assistance, or are overwhelmed by caring for a loved one on their own. Three reasons to look into home health care include:
- Someone you trust can monitor your loved one when you can’t. Holland Hospital Home Health Telehealth Services features a simple-to-use device that collects and transmits patient vital signs data, such as blood pressure, pulse oximetry, heart rate and weight. It offers individualized questions to tell the nurse if the patient is feeling the same, better or worse. The system also provides specific education related to the patient’s condition. Should the patient’s health status require intervention, the telehealth team takes appropriate action by calling the patient on the phone, making a video or providing an in-home visit. When appropriate, the nurse contacts and coordinates care with the patient’s doctor.
- Care is wide ranging and available for all ages. Along with serving older adults, home health professionals also play a pivotal role in caring for those who have chronic diseases, are disabled, or are recovering from illnesses or injuries. Services can include skilled nursing care for managing chronic and acute medical conditions; wounds and ostomies; physical, occupational and speech therapy.
- Your goals come first and foremost. Together with the patient’s primary care doctor and other medical providers, Holland Hospital Home Health Services will create a personalized care plan to achieve your specific health goals, monitor your ongoing progress and ensure your comfort and confidence along the way.
For more on how home health care could make a difference for you and/or someone you love, talk to your doctor. Fully accredited by CHAP, the nation’s leading accrediting agency for home health, Holland Hospital’s team incorporates the expertise of registered nurses, home health aides, physical, occupational and speech therapists, dietitians, certified wound care specialists, medical social workers, certified psychiatric nurses, and other professionals.