Caring
for Caregivers Newsletter
Published by Janice Wallace, The Eldercare Coach
Ask
Janice!
This question was asked by an audience member at one of my recent
presentations.
Dear Janice,
What is the difference between home care and a nursing home?
Dear Friend,
Home care agencies provide trained home care workers who assist with light
housekeeping, meal preparation, offer companionship and transportation
to appointments.
A second level of care is usually offered dealing with personal hygiene,
bathing, dressing, oral care, toileting and care for individuals who are
incontinent. The care is provided in a one on one setting at home and
personalized for your loved one. There are agencies that staff private
duty nurses to people requiring nursing care at home but that is not what
is meant in the industry by “home care”.
Home care agencies provide care related to daily living. A nursing home
or skilled nursing facility provides care that is medical in nature. Skilled
nursing facilities (SNF) are staffed by a legally mandated ratio of caregivers
consisting of registered nurses (RNs), licensed vocational or practical
nurses (LVNs/LPNs) and Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) to patients.
Individuals requiring complex medical support including wound care, ventilator
care and tube feeding must be cared for in a SNF. A skilled nursing facility
is a place to recover from surgery and to rehabilitate after a fall, stroke
or surgery.
There are other care options that exist between home care and a nursing
home depending on a person’s needs.
If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area, you’re invited to my
Eldercare 101 Workshop on Monday, June 27 learn more about care options
and how to choose the best facility for your loved one.