Home Care Services You Can Expect in 2024: The Ultimate Showdown
Over the last few decades in Australia, the number of nursing homes remained flat, and that’s because more and more Aussie seniors are now searching for alternative and better healthcare solutions that allow them to retain their independence and comfort while aging in their homes. Therefore, the home care sector is witnessing a transformative shift in the evolution-dominant healthcare landscape, offering more personalised and flexible solutions. Which is great!
Traditionally, family members, especially elderly people, were used to being placed in a skilled nursing facility when they could no longer take care of themselves. However, with evolving homecare facilities and homecare agencies, families and seniors can now access multiple home care services.
In this article, we will explore the types of homecare services you can avail of in 2024.
What is Home Care?
Home care is when a healthcare professional, mainly a caregiver, serves an individual who needs medical care in the comfort of their home. Caregiver’s responsibilities can vary when it comes to home care, depending on the patient’s needs. For instance, some people need help getting around on their errands or to social events, while others might need help with personal care such as bathing, dressing, housework etc.
Furthermore, others might require medical expertise, including administering their medication or reminding the patient to take medicines. This type of home care service is often needed post-operation or when a person has a chronic disease, such as diabetes, a heart problem, or kidney issues.
Regardless of the home care service you or your loved one needs, home care is designed to make the patient’s life as comfortable and independent as possible.
A Glimpse into Homecare Services in 2024
In-home care services are usually categorised into three main types:
- Nursing care
- Allied-health care – medical-based care services
- Home care, a non-medical service.
Non-medical senior care or home care services include several caregiving functions, such as personal care, medication reminders, help with errand-running, housekeeping, companionship, respite care, etc.
Let’s take a closer look at the different types of home care services you can expect in the coming years:
- Personal Care
Personal care is all about a caregiver helping an individual maintain their personal hygiene. As people age, it’s common for them to feel incapable, insecure, or frustrated about the things they can no longer do themselves because of their health limitations.
- Personal care is a popular home care service among aged people as it helps them feel comfortable in their home environment that feels safe, familiar, and happy. Whether you want to move around your home, use the restroom, or dress yourself, a professional caregiver specialising in personal care can help you out, then leave you to get on with your day, going about your life in your own way in your own home.
- Meal Preparation
Aside from rest, proper nutrition is vital to a long and healthy life. If you are finding it difficult to prepare meals because of your health issues, you can seek a meal preparation service. This is just another handy In-home Aged Care service wherein professional caregivers help people with grocery shopping, cooking, general kitchen safety, and cleaning the kitchen so that they can stay in their homes longer.
Trained caregivers will know what types of foods and drinks are appropriate to maintain your physical and cognitive fitness and, thus, will prepare food accordingly, and of course, along with your preferences and favourite foods.
- Light Housekeeping
One of the most challenging things to do as you age is keeping up with the housekeeping. Light housekeeping services to help take the load off involve:
- Assisting you with laundry
- Taking the trash out
- Helping organise your home
- Maintaining a clean environment, and more
- Light gardening.
- Medication Reminders
Although home care doesn’t fall into the medical care category, you can appoint a professional caregiver to help you remember to take your medication. Such caregivers usually work with medical care providers to ensure you take the recommended doses and not forget any medications. In addition, they keep you safe by monitoring any medications’ side effects or complications.
- Respite Care
Life can be demanding; sometimes family members or primary caregivers taking care of a patient need a break to recharge. Respite care services offer flexibility and relief required by allowing such family members or caregivers to take some well-deserved time out themselves so they can recharge and be at their best physically and mentally.
This much-needed break will invest in the overall well-being of the primary caregiver and the person receiving care. It’s a win-win.
- Companionship
As people age, they tend to feel lonelier with their kids living their own lives, working hard, and having little to no time for their elders. When left alone for days and weeks, aged people might suffer from feelings of isolation and, sometimes, even depression.
Companionship service is one of the essential home care services you should seek for your loved one if you think they fall into this category. These services will help your parents or a senior member of your family to continue socialising and engaging in thoughtful, fun, and meaningful interactions. Therefore, companionship services can greatly boost the patient’s self-esteem and improve their mood.
- Transportation
Transportation is one of the most needed home care services. Caregivers will be available at all hours whenever a patient needs to visit their doctor or travel about to see family members. With technology-driven transportation services, you can request on-demand rides to home care service providers via your smartphone or a dedicated app.
How to Choose a Home Care Agency?
Your doctor might recommend seeking home health care or in-home nursing services for better care and a comfortable and healthier life. But finding the right home care agency that provides you with confidence and peace of mind can feel a bit daunting at first.
When comparing home care agencies, you should look for the one that offers transparent communication. You will want to know all the different types of home care services they provide and whether their caregivers are compassionate enough to treat you with genuine care and concern.
Another factor you should consider is flexibility. Ask the agency if caregivers will be available for the services you need and when you need them. In addition, don’t forget to check the agency’s license and credentials and reviews to make sure they provide reliable home care services.
Concluding Thoughts
From navigating recovery and rehabilitation post-surgery to managing a chronic disease or a lifelong disability as you age, or to just have a little extra help around the home and assistance with everyday tasks so that you can remain in your home, there are many reasons why you can benefit by seeking reliable home care services. Home care focuses on In-home Aged Care in Wagga Wagga, helping Aussie seniors meet their health and lifestyle needs. Home care services mentioned above are the best solution to recover comfortably after hospitalisation or age comfortably and happily in your home instead of going to a nursing home or senior living centre. All you need to do is choose a reputable, experienced home care agency that can render skilled and compassionate caregivers to give you this independence now and into the future.
