By GYC Senior Care

When Should You Hire a Private Home Nurse?

Growing older, being in an accident that requires continual medical treatment, having acquired a disability preventing to perform daily tasks are all situations that may call for in-home care. 

Private home nurse and home caregivers offer skilled and non-medical services to people, respectively. These services are provided in the home so that the person doesn’t have to live in a long-term care facility or private nursing home.

Here’s the difference between the two care professionals and when you should consider hiring a private home nurse.

1. Differences between a Private Home Nurse vs an In-Home Caregiver

There are differences between the two professionals, which are determined by the level of care that they provide. Understanding what each can do for you or a loved one, and the types of care that’s needed, will help you select the appropriate care professional. 

a) Private Home Nurse

A private home nurse is a registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN) who will administer medical services to the patient: 

• They offer wound care management by changing dressings, administering medications, monitoring and check-up care. 
• The private home nurse may also offer specialized treatment based on the needs of the patient due to the person being in an accident, or care for specific conditions such as diabetes, Alzheimer’s, COPD, or for disabilities. These medical services may be for a specific time period or ongoing care.
• Some private home nurse organizations will also offer basic daily care, also called activities of daily living (ADL), to patients. This daily care can range from meal prep, driving you to appointments, personal hygiene help, and bathing. The number of services that each organization offers will differ. So always ask questions to find out what they can do for you.

b) In-Home Caregiver

Generally speaking, home caregivers are not medically trained to provide specialized health services to patients. 

Instead, these care helpers assist patients with daily chores that fall under the category of “instrumental activities of daily living” (IADL). Many of these services can be performed when the patient is at home or when they are not around.

The types of IADL that an in-home caregiver can provide include: 

• Cleaning and maintaining the home, 
• Cooking meals, 
• Helping the patient take their prescribed medication. 
• Provide services outside of the home such as running errands to the grocery store or post office, as well as paying bills and handling finances. 
• They may also help the patient by filling out forms or communicating on the phone on the patient’s behalf.

2. When Is The Right Time to Hire a Private Home Nurse?

A private home nurse can be hired to provide care to anyone from small children to senior citizens, although some organizations will specialize in a particular age group. 

You should consider hiring these care professionals whenever you need more specialized medical care or when you have been in the hospital and are making the transition back to your home.

You should also consider a private home nurse when you are suffering from a medical condition, such as diabetes or Alzheimer’s, as you want more one-on-one care or medical help with taking medications or using medical equipment.

A private home nurse is also appropriate when you want to maintain your independence by not living in a nursing home or long-term care facility. 

When you want healthcare monitoring, dressing treatment, someone to administer medications, or basic ADL help, private home nurses can provide you with the right amount of care. 

Private home nurses can help people who have been in accidents, who are disabled, or who have short-term or long-term medical conditions. If you are looking for a personalized private home nurse, contact GYC Senior Care.

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