Ensuring a sustainable and efficient In-Home Caregiving environment requires certain home modifications and technologies.
For families with old and sick members needing care and assistance, In-Home caregiving can be a great option. In many states, In-Home Caregiving is becoming synonymous with family caregiving. There are three types of In-Home Caregiving. Personal Care and Companionship, which is non-medical care involving home health assistance and companionship for a senior individual. Private Duty Nursing Care is long-term, hourly nursing care at home for patients with a chronic illness, injury, or disability. Most seniors require this type of In-Home care service. Most families also prefer this type of caregiving for their loved ones. The third type is Home Health Care. It involves a short-term program designed to aid a patient recover from an illness or injury. This is usually availed after a hospital stay and directed by a physician. No matter what type of home caregiving set-up you need, it is essential to create a sustainable caregiving environment for patients to recover quickly and enjoy quality living. In the book One Caregiver’s Journey by Eleanor Gaccetta, we learn of the many adjustments she had to make as a sole family caregiver to her mother. Aside from personal adjustments, a family caregiver also has to make modifications at home to provide the utmost possible care and comfort for the patient and those who take care of them.
Stable Physical Environment
The first and primary consideration for In-Home care is the home itself. Is it stable? Can they accommodate the patient and In-Home caregiver? Does the home have enough space, is it accessible with wider doorways to accommodate a walker or wheelchair? Are the bathrooms modified and can the person easily transfer into bed. Sometimes a consideration is the proximity to a hospital or healthcare provider. Does have enough rooms? Or bathrooms? Is it near a hospital? The house must be suitable for In-Home caregiving. Barriers and access to different parts of the house must be considered. Lighting, space, and design all play integral parts in making the home patient-friendly.
“Home modifications may include removing hazards; adding special features, such as grab bars, stair lifts, and ramps; and rearranging furnishings to create clear pathways. In addition, spaces can be renovated, and the purpose of a room may be modified to accommodate a person with mobility limitations who cannot climb stairs or needs constant supervision.” (www.nap.educ)
Technology in In-Home Care
Technology plays a vital role in creating a sustainable caregiving environment at home. From essential devices that ease pressure on caregiving tasks such as grab bars, raised toilet seats, digital clocks to gadgets that can help monitor patient’s vitals and other records. Today, we have digital blood pressure readers, point-and-read thermometers, and other portable and rechargeable medical kits. According to https://www.nap.edu
“A wide range of technology solutions is available to assist care recipients and caregivers in the home in order to make the environment more assistive and inclusive. Solutions that facilitate bedside care include adjustable beds that change position and height, pressure-relieving bed surfaces (e.g., gel mattress, low-air-loss mattress), lift devices (to facilitate transferring from one surface to another and reduce risk of caregiver injury), and seating devices to relieve pressure and prevent contractures.” interior design auckland
A ”smart-house” is the ideal world for a caregiver. If a caregiver has a laptop, however, then computer-based technologies such as telehealth are readily available. Caregivers can research and obtain economical health monitoring devices or systems to improve home safety for their loved one. Many devices such as grab bars are installed by hand. One of the smartest things a caregiver can do is remove all obstacles like throw rugs to avoid tripping or falls. Just being mimndful of your loved one’s health condition and medical needs will reveal which devices will best assist in caregiving.
Regardless of the technology level, caregivers and family members must ensure that these technologies can assist in providing patients comfort and care to a loved one. Overall, the home should serve not as a substitute for medical institutions but is also designed and equipped with tools and technology that allow safety, wellbeing and to create as normal as possible an environment for your loved one.
