The Advantages of Home Care Agencies in Washington DC

Elderly people who are mentally strong enough to live alone, may be strong enough to do many of their daily activities without assistance, but they may need help with some of their household chores. If this is the case for your parent, senior care provided by home care agencies Washington, DC may be beneficial. Many seniors prefer to remain in the comfort of their own home instead of moving to an assisted living facility and the assistance of a home care provider makes it possible for them to retain their independence. Another benefit of in home care services is the cost is typically much less expensive than a full time assisted living facility. There are several types of senior services available, but the two primary types of services are skilled care and/or unskilled care.

Skilled services provided by home care agencies Washington, DC are the services provided by medical professionals, including physical therapists, occupational therapists, registered nursing, physician, hospice care, speech therapy, respiratory therapy and social services. In many situations skilled services are only utilized for a short period of time; however, they may be used on a daily basis in situations such as giving daily insulin injections. The skilled services are prescribed by a physician and are scheduled according to the need. For example, skilled providers may follow up with the patient following a hospital discharge or if they were in an accident that requires short term services for recovery, such as physical therapy.

Unskilled, also referred to as supportive services, are provided by non-medical caregivers, such as nursing assistants and/or volunteers. Supportive services assist patients with daily tasks such as bathing, grooming, dressing, meal preparation, housekeeping and transportation. In some situations, supportive services can also assist the patient with exercise, self-administered medications and companionship. Supportive services are scheduled depending on the needs of the patient. The amount of time varies from a couple of hours each week to live in services that are provided 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The schedule for supportive services can also be altered each week according to the patients schedule. For example, supportive services may typically be scheduled for home care one day a week to help with household chores, but if the patient has an appointment, the extra time can be included in the services.