When a family member (or a few members) hires a caregiver for at-home care, often for their elderly loved one, that caregiver is usually hired as a non-medical companion. Oftentimes however, caregivers may have formal or informal training as medical assistants, nurses aides and even nurses. If you need to hire a caregiver for a loved one, it’s important to consider the medical needs as well as the non-medical needs of your loved one. Medical and non-medical needs work hand-in-hand.
While the caregiver generally is in charge of the patient’s non-medical needs, mainly helping the patient with their “activities of daily living,” having some medical support available whether it’s a routine nurse visit, a monthly home visit from a doctor, having these medical professionals as part of your “care team” can go a long way in ensuring your loved as better and even longer life. Here are a few reasons why involving a doctor and nurse, in coordination with the caregiver is a good idea:
- Greater Independence. Older adults may not admit they’re struggling because they don’t want to lose their independence but a doctor, nurse or physiotherapist can help them overcome this.
- Research shows that elderly adults recover faster, with fewer complications, at home than in a hospital. With the assistance of visiting doctors and nurses, patients can get help managing their medications. This prevents harmful drug interactions, which can help your loved one avoid going to the hospital. Being at home allows the elderly to stick to their routines in familiar surroundings and maintain a sense of normalcy in their lives.
- Relief for Family Caregivers.
- Prevents Avoidable Trips to the Hospital. Older adults may be able to avoid unnecessary hospital visits by managing their health conditions at home. Home health care and support from doctors and nurses helps by providing regular monitoring and education. Patients also have 24/7 access to a professional they can call if they’re having troublesome symptoms and aren’t sure what to do.
- Avoiding unnecessary trips to the hospital saves money. Visits from doctors and nurses can also save money by delaying or preventing the need for nursing home care or other more intensive types of care.
- An important benefit of home visits from a doctor, nurse or physiotherapist, is that it is grounded in scientifically-proven practices and standards of care to make sure patients receive the right care at the right time in their home.
- Personalized Care. Patients receive one-on-one care that is tailored to their specific needs. This makes treatment more effective and builds trust among the patient, caregiver and home health care team.
- Team of Professionals. Nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists make up the home health care team, with oversight by a physician. Each team member is carefully screened and trained. Patients can see these professionals without having to go to a doctor’s office, rehabilitation facility or hospital.
In addition to helping you find a qualified, professional and compassionate caregiver, Pilar has a team of highly experienced doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and others who can assist your loved one in the home. Fill in this quick form and we’ll get right back to you: https://www.pillarcare.com/elderly-care or text/WhatsApp to: +6018-2209030 or call at: +603-29359960
