Home Care Research Paper

Deciding on care for seniors is a decision most Pennsylvanians will make at some point in their lives either for a loved one or for themselves. Independent living, assisted care, or full care are decisions most don’t plan for as they might for retirement. Many unknown factors come to play for younger people when making these decisions, such as health and finances, but a person can still draft a rough plan to help family members later. For those who are already at the age, creating a list of pros and cons is beneficial to understanding the care they need and the living situation they want.

Common Terms and Explanations

Terms commonly found in home healthcare can be confusing. The type of care usually depends on who performs the care—whether services occur in-home or at another location. A nurse or licensed medical profession provides skilled care. This can include administrating medications and health checks such as blood pressure. Anyone can provide custodial care, or non-skilled care, and this is typically assisting with everyday functions such as meal preparation, bathing, eating, and dressing. It can also include driving a senior to and from places, or some custodial caregivers will provide light housecleaning duties too. …show more content…
Both services occur in the home, and sometimes the services do overlap. However, they are not the same. Home health care involves a skilled caregiver. Home care uses a non-skilled caregiver.

The type of care a person requires varies. If a senior requires regular vital checks, assistance with medical equipment, or requires help with medical braces and prosthetics, home health care might be the better option. If a senior requires help with their daily basic needs, help with simple household chores, and transportation, home care might be better suited for them.