Home Health Care: Tools, Tips, and Strategies

As per HCAOA, about 40% of people over the age of 65 need assistance to perform daily tasks. Therefore, there is an increasing demand for home healthcare professionals. Whether you are old or recovering from a chronic illness, home health care services will provide the assistance needed by the elderly or the patient. 

While it offers safety, comfort, and freedom for the patient, home health care is quite challenging. A multitude of factors goes into monitoring the patient’s health. For instance, a room needs to be set up with all the equipment for the recovering patient. The following tips, tools, and strategies will help individuals providing home health care.

Tools Required For Home Health Care 

There are a variety of tools required specific to the individual’s health condition. Get the right home care tools to optimize the comfort of the patient. Although it varies from patient to patient, following home health care supplies are commonly used 

  • Crutches, canes, wheelchairs, and walkers for easy mobility 
  • Respirators and portable oxygen 
  • Limb supports 
  • Specifically designed beds like hospitals 
  • Shower chairs and power toilet seat 
  • Wound care ointments, bandages, and first-aid kit 
  • Pads, undergarments, and stockings 
  • Recliners 
  • IV supplies 
  • Gloves 

When buying home care equipment, determine if it would make sense to rent the items instead of purchasing them. If it affects the patient’s household finances, it is best to rent items that are not frequently used.

Tips For Home Health Care 

With a few simple precautions and tips, you can monitor and maintain the health of the professional.

  • Set up a room for the patient with a hospital-type bed and other medical supplies. Clear the path to the room by rearranging the furniture.
  • Get rid of throw rugs and loose carpeting, use non-slip backing to prevent it from backing. 
  • Install recliners and grab bars to provide extra assistance.
  • Store clinical supplies, medicines, and equipment in a safe place. Organize and restock inventory and supplies before they run out.

Best Strategies For Home Health Care 

  • Planning – Depending on the patient’s health condition, devise the most time-efficient strategy. Plan each day and ensure that the schedules and circumstances are not disturbing the patient. Decide activities the patients will be interested in, including exercises, and other fun things. 
  • Use of Home Health Care Technology – Home health care tools can contribute significantly to the quality of care. With plenty of life-saving features, it can solve multiple problems including communication, coordination, and management. The use of these technologies boosts operational effectiveness and reduces costs. For this purpose, use automated time-tracking software and monitoring systems as well as maintain digital records.
  • Improve Communication with the Patient – Communicate and engage with the patient to understand the needs and expectations of the patient. It will help you align treatments for better outcomes. Provide services according to the collected information to maximize comfort for the patient.

Lastly, implementing these practices and strategies to ensure a higher level of care for the patient. Adopt new technologies to monitor the patient’s health and stay organized.