Home Health Care Options to Consider During Pandemic

Life. It certainly isn’t what our youthful selves expected it would be like – especially in 2020. As kids, we wished away our youth, longing to grow up, uttering sentences like, “Some day when I’m a parent, I’ll…”

Well, our wishes have been granted. Many of us are parents now, all grown up and taking care of our own parents. How the tables have turned! What was once mom and dad’s responsibility is now ours.

The COVID-19 pandemic has added an extra layer of stress to our jobs as adults as we juggle work and school-from-home scenarios, irritable spouses and aging parents. Trying to make time for everything requires a personal assistant – a luxury not many of us have!

As overwhelming as life can be, it’s important not to lose sight of our elderly loved ones and their needs. We need to be honest with ourselves about the level of care we are able to provide. Admitting that we need help to care for our loved ones is not lazy or dismissive. It’s smart.

And if any of these sentiments are resonating, it might be time to consider getting help. While you may not be ready to search for senior living communities, the home health care option might be a good fit.

What is Home Health Care?

Home Health Care is skilled health care services provided in the home, according to a specific plan of care. Home Health Care services deliver a wide spectrum of care, including the treatment of an illness, injury, or aid with post-surgical procedures.

Home health care staff, using their skills and training, helps patients increase their ability to tend to their everyday needs, while remaining in the comfort of their own homes, apartments or assisted living communities.

Home health care options are considered when the demands of care exceed the family member’s time or ability to provide support. It can also be used as an alternative to a step-down facility in a post-operative care situation.

Home health care services work in partnership with each patient’s family to determine a care plan or service plan to support the patient. The partnership forged during the planning process gets everyone on the same page, and gives the family members both visibility and peace of mind.

Home health care services range from basic education and health assessments to skilled nursing for post-operative care.

For example, a home health care specialist can conduct initial assessments related to nutrition and cardio-pulmonary health to determine the status of the patient. Conducting initial assessments is an important part of a long-term care plan because it provides a benchmark for the individual under consideration.

Home health care providers also support wound care and post-operative patient education. The home health specialist takes responsibility for changing the dressing post-procedure. They can also oversee the delivery of medication and monitor complex treatments. This alleviates the stress on the family member doubling as the caregiver and improves the focus on the patient’s overall experience.

Lots of home health care businesses recently opened and it’s especially important – in light of the coronavirus pandemic – to determine if the agency has the proper accreditation and abides by the latest state and federal mandates.

For example, Windsor House’s Home Health Care service is one of the few agencies in northeastern Ohio that received accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care.

Accreditation is a process that enables health care organizations to demonstrate their ability to meet regulatory requirements and standards that demonstrate a higher level of performance and patient care. Accreditation services follow a comprehensive review process that looks at organizational structure, policies and procedures in compliance with state and federal laws.

During this stressful time, support is available and your aging parent’s health care needs should still be a main priority. The care is available.

Windsor Home Health Care believes in the importance of helping people live independent and dignified lives. The skilled care our competent, well-trained staff provides helps to enrich the lives of each and every patient, while maintaining the highest possible level of independent living. Each patient receives a unique, individually-tailored plan of care and set of goals, based on his specific nursing or therapy needs.

Windsor House Inc. is a family owned and operated health-care provider that has been serving residents of the Mahoning Valley for 60 years. The company owns and operates 12 nursing homes and five assisted living communities in northeastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania. Visit WindsorHouseInc.com, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.