What is Home Health Care?

First it started with spoiled food in the refrigerator. Then the general cleanliness of the house started to change and odors were prevalent. When her mom started to lose noticeable weight, Diane knew it was time to talk.

Chatting over a cup of coffee, Diane learned that her widowed mother wasn't eating regular meals because she didn't feel like cooking for one and she wasn't cleaning the floors because the vacuum was too heavy. Diane quickly realized her mother needed additional assistance that could no longer be solved with her weekly check-ins.

Diane knew her mother would not willingly move from the home she shared with her husband for the past 50 years; she made those wishes very clear years ago.

“Promise you won’t send me to a nursing home,” she said.

As Diane began to research care options for her mother, a friend encouraged her to look into home care.

Home care is simply any type of care provided in your home. There are two styles of home care available: non-medical and health care.

Non-medical home care encompasses areas of need including medication reminders, respite, companionship, transportation or meal assistance/planning. Home health care includes more involved tasks such as help getting in and out of bed or chairs, medication administration, skilled therapy services or end of life medical care.

Many home care agencies provide a range of services anywhere from two hours, one day a week; up to 24 hours a day every day.  A home health aide could be hired to visit an individual’s home twice a week to clean the kitchen, run errands or do laundry. Some may choose to hire a home care agency to provide 24-hour care, with staff available at all times to help ensure health and safety.

Home care allows individuals and their families to choose the services they need and tailor them to fit their lifestyle.

At Home Solutions by Saint Therese provides an array of compassionate care and services to individuals and families in their home; serving Minneapolis, St. Paul and the surrounding seven county metro area. Our staff becomes a member of your caregiving team; providing the support you want when you need it. Learn more about At Home Solutions by Saint Therese.