At-home healthcare is nothing new. However, its popularity is rising due to the significant technological advances in recent years. Remote health monitoring devices, telemedicine consultations, and virtual care platforms are transforming our approach to healthcare.
At-Home Healthcare Empowers Patients
This patient-centered approach empowers patients to take a more active role in managing their health. Today, we will look closer at the benefits of home-based healthcare and review the steps to hiring professional caregivers for assistance.
What is Patient-Centered Care?
Patient-centered at-home healthcare is an approach that prioritizes a patient’s needs, preferences, and values to shift the focus from treating a disease to healing the patient as a whole.
Patient-centered care considers an individual’s physical, emotional, and social well-being and involves:
- Actively listening to the patient
- Including the patient in the decision-making process
- Tailoring care to the unique circumstances of the patient
- Recognizing that the patient is an expert on their own life and know what’s best for them
Through these methods, at-home healthcare empowers the patient to be an active participant in their health journey. This active participation enhances patient satisfaction, motivates them to adhere to the treatment plan, and improves overall health outcomes.
The Benefits of Home-Based Healthcare
In-home healthcare offers various other benefits. Let’s take a look at some of them.
Convenience
One of the main advantages of this type of healthcare is the convenience that comes with it.
Patients no longer need to visit a hospital or a clinic to receive care. They can undergo treatment in the comfort of their homes without worrying about scheduling appointments or waiting in a doctor’s office for their turn.
Instead, at-home healthcare providers will come to them and administer any treatment necessary. This advantage of home-based healthcare is especially beneficial for patients with chronic conditions, mobility issues, or those living in remote areas.
Better Management of Condition
Another benefit of in-home care is that it allows patients to manage their health conditions better. Since they are in their familiar home environment, there is a better chance that they will adhere to their treatment plan and make healthier life choices.
These proactive decisions made by the patients can lead to better health outcomes and reduce the need for hospitalization. At-home healthcare providers can also observe patients in their home environment and create treatment plans according to their routines and surroundings.
Cost-Effectiveness
Lastly, in-home patient care is more cost-effective than the traditional care models, like regular visits to the clinic or extended hospital stays.
Traditional care models place a significant financial burden on patients and their families. These costs add unnecessary stress that might slow down the patient’s progress.
Patients can reduce these costs by opting for at-home healthcare. Meanwhile, the quality of their care will stay the same and sometimes even improve.
Hiring a Professional Caregiver
You can easily hire a trained nurse or medical professional for in-home care. Here, we will look at the advantages of hiring these professionals and some factors you must consider when choosing them.
Advantages of Hiring a Professional Caregiver
Hiring a professional at-home healthcare provider has several advantages, especially for patients with complex conditions. Let’s look closer at some of these advantages.
Expert and Personalized Care
One of the main benefits of hiring a professional caregiver is their ability to provide expert and personalized care to each patient. Remember that these are highly trained individuals who have received extensive education and know what they’re doing.
Whether you need help with post-operative care, managing medical equipment, administering medications, or changing wound dressings, they can help you.
Peace of Mind
Another advantage of hiring skilled professionals for at-home healthcare is their ability to provide peace of mind for the patients and their families.
Having the round-the-clock support of a healthcare professional can alleviate the stress and concern about the well-being of a patient. Families can rest assured knowing they have access to someone equipped to handle medical emergencies and resolve complications as they arise.
Patient Education
Finally, at-home caregivers can educate patients and their families on different health topics related to their health condition.
For instance, did you know that around 7.2 million people get sick annually from waterborne diseases? Many of those affected are in the older age groups with a higher risk of developing gastrointestinal problems and infections.
At-home healthcare providers can educate elderly patients and their families on this issue and encourage them to use water filters to stay safe.
Factors to Consider When Hiring a Professional Caregiver
When looking for professional caregivers for yourself or loved ones, there are various factors you must consider. Let’s look at some of them.
At-Home Medical Equipment and Supplies
Equipping your home with the right supplies is imperative for successful treatment and recovery. Some providers bring their own equipment. However, in some cases, patients must provide at-home medical equipment and supplies.
Some necessary equipment for at-home healthcare may include hospital beds, wheelchairs, catheters, blood pressure monitors, oxygen tanks, and wound care products. The type of equipment you need depends on your health. Be sure to ask the healthcare providers what you’ll need beforehand.
Caregiver Qualifications
One of the most important factors to check is the provider’s certifications and qualifications. The professional you hire must have the expertise to care for you or your loved one. You can check their certifications online or contact them directly to ask about their experience to ensure they meet your needs.
Make sure your provider uses the proper personal protective equipment like gloves and is dressed appropriately for your safety. Nurses can purchase medical products and scrubs online for their home healthcare duties.
Communication
Finally, ensure you or your patient can communicate effectively with the at-home healthcare provider. Clear and open communication enables better emotional and social support that plays a critical role in the psychological well-being of patients. It also allows providers to better understand the patient’s needs, preferences, and changes in their health.
Embrace Patient-Centered At-Home Healthcare
Home-based healthcare that empowers patients may be the future of medicine. It’s already transforming how patients receive care. Embrace home-based care for yourself or a loved one as an alternative to traditional care methods. It may be what you need to get better.
About the Writer: Aaron Smith is an LA-based content strategist and consultant in support of STEM firms and medical practices. He covers industry developments and helps companies connect with clients. In his free time, Aaron enjoys swimming, swing dancing, and sci-fi novels.
