Different Types of Caregivers for Different Types of Home Care

When someone you love needs assistance because they are elderly, some questions come quicker than the answers. What is in-home care? How do I go about arranging it? Will they be safe? Well for starters, there are two basic types of in-home caregivers. The first are licensed healthcare professionals who provide medical care in the home according to the orders of a doctor. These can include social workers, physical therapists and nurses.

The second are caregivers who serve as companions, homemakers and aides. They are there to help with non-medical tasks and activities, enabling an older or disabled person to live independently at home for as long as possible.

A full-service in-home healthcare organization can provide both types of caregivers, with the frequency of visits (part-time or full-time home care) determined by the client’s needs. Many adult children with elderly parents take advantage of the non-medical type of caregiving because they have peace of mind knowing that their parent’s everyday wants and needs are being seen to.

Below are just a few services provided by non-medical caregivers:

• Laundry and linen service
• Picking up prescriptions
• Making medical appointments
• Caring for pets
• Opening mail
• Transportation
• Assistance with grooming and bathing
• Meal preparation
• Light housework
• Medication reminders
• Companionship

Because every situation is different, professional caregivers can help determine the level of in-home care that your loved one or parent needs. As those needs change, services can be either increased or decreased. Remember, the goal of in-home care is to help someone live at home as independently as possible, rather than having to move to a long-term care facility.