Receiving care in the home is perhaps the most flexible of all options. Caregivers who come into the home can provide services that range from stand-by oversight for a few hours a week to round-the-clock care. When you engage a home health care agency, they will supply caregivers with the appropriate skills during the time that you request. Before you plan for services with a home care agency, you should get an assessment of your loved one’s care needs. Sometimes the agency can arrange this assessment, and it should be performed by a registered nurse.
Generally, most agencies want visits to last for at least 3-4 hours, and some have weekly minimums as well. If you request a caregiver in the home 24-hours a day, the agency will usually split the time into two 12-hour shifts. Unique state labor laws also factor into staffing for full-time caregiving. Some agencies will provide “live-in” caregivers, but there are requirements as to where and when they are allowed to sleep and how much free time they have.
An alternative to working with a home health care agency is to hire an independent caregiver directly. Because they work for themselves, you pay them directly.
Home health caregivers can range in skill level from untrained companions to homemakers, to skilled nurses. Many have completed programs to be Certified Nursing Assistants or Certified Home Health Aides, meaning they are trained to handle health issues such as mobility, nutrition, toileting, hygiene, and behavior. These certifications may not mean that they are able to provide nursing care such as medication administration, injections, or wound care.