When it comes to finding care for your loved one, there are many options to choose from. Those options can include facilities that provide care, like a nursing home or assisted living facility. However, some families are wary of having their loved one in a facility, and some seniors don’t want to leave their homes.
This is where private duty care comes in. This type of care might be unfamiliar, but thanks to Gallagher Home Care, you can become more familiar with the various care options available, including private duty care, and decide which is best for you and your loved ones. In the meantime, let’s learn a little more about private duty care.
Private Duty Care Explained
Private duty care is a type of care that provides higher-level, one-on-one care for seniors living at home. With this type of care, the health aide tailors the care of each patient to their specific health needs. Some of the services that can be provided with private duty nursing include:
- Post-surgical care
- Ventilator care
- Post-surgical care
Nurses are also on call for emergency care if needed. This type of care typically occurs on a long-term basis that can sometimes last for years. Not only is medical care provided, but there is also assistance with daily activities such as meal preparation, grooming assistance, and mobility support.
Private Duty Care vs. General Home Care Services
While private duty care and general care both occur in the comfort of home, there are some key differences between the two. General home healthcare is broader in terms of what services are being provided in comparison to private duty care. It includes both medical and non-medical services. General health care also has a short-term duration that has a specified endpoint once the patient has regained independence. The cost of general home care services is generally covered by Medicare or private insurance and is dependent upon the duration of the services provided.
Benefits of Individualized Attention
Having individualized care for your loved one has several benefits, including:
- Tailored health plans- Through individualized care, a patient’s health plan is created through various health assessments. This ensures that each patient is able to get the care that they need.
- Better quality of life- Plans that are specifically designed to meet the needs of patients provide an improved quality of life because they are receiving the care that is most beneficial to them. Also, patients get the care they need without having to leave the comfort of their home and experience anxiety that can come from living in an assisted living facility.
- Consistent care- Having continuous care allows the caregiver to become familiar with and understand the needs of the patient. This improves the quality of care because the caregivers know what the patient's needs are.
- Maintaining independence- Home care allows seniors to maintain their independence since they continue to live at home. They are also involved in the decision-making for their care.
Flexibility of Scheduling and Services
One of the key factors of private duty care is the flexibility that its services and scheduling offer. Services are designed to meet the specific needs of the patients. As the patient and their needs evolve over time, so does the care that they receive. Not only is private duty care tailored to health needs, but it is also tailored to a family’s schedule. Families can schedule care based on the needs of their loved one. They can receive all-day care, overnight monitoring, or whatever time of day is beneficial for their needs. By providing this flexibility, it allows families to make sure that their loved one is getting the right type of care when they need it.
Emotional and Social Support
Not only does private duty care benefit physical health, but it also provides emotional and social support. According to recent data, about 27% of seniors live alone, which can cause a feeling of loneliness. Having a caregiver can reduce the feeling of loneliness since the patient is engaging with another individual through conversation, as well as feeling heard. Not only is it emotional support for the patient, but also for the families of the patients. By having a trained caregiver helping their loved one, there is no longer the stress that can come from caring for them, and also finding them the proper care they need. Now the family knows their loved one is in good hands with the care they are receiving.
Schedule a Home Evaluation Today
Is this a care option that could benefit your loved one? Schedule a free, at-home evaluation with Gallagher Home Care today to see what your personalized plan could look like. Our home health aids are formally trained and ready to help with your loved one’s needs. Don’t wait, schedule an appointment today.
