Home caring is a growing trend that enables older adults with chronic health conditions to live at home, surrounded by their familiar surroundings and memories. It is associated with a better quality of life, reduced hospitalisations and delayed institutionalisation compared to care in a long-term care facility. It is also a cost-effective option for the individual, family and healthcare system.
While there are multiple types of home care, some common options include visiting nurses, certified nursing assistants (CNAs) and home health aides. Some of these professionals may have specific medical skills, such as administering medications, while others provide more general support. For example, CNAs and home health aides may help with bathing and grooming, meal preparation and household chores. Visiting nurses usually have extensive medical training and are licensed in their state. They can be a good choice for people with complex medical needs who require more attention from a nurse than home health aides or CNAs.
Families should carefully consider the type of home care that is required before hiring someone. It is a good idea to work with an agency, which will screen caregivers thoroughly and do background checks. Agencies will handle payroll, liability insurance and other responsibilities. This makes them a more reliable and trustworthy choice than independent providers, who are not insured or licensed. In addition, if the care provider doesn’t get along with your loved one or isn’t working out, you can always request another caregiver from the agency.
Many studies have reported that social factors influence home care utilization. This scoping review systematically reports findings from a wide range of studies and, using a socio-ecological model, clarifies the level of influence at which these factors affect patterns of home care utilization.
Age was the most frequently examined factor and was positively associated with the propensity to use home care. However, the relationship was less clear when examining the intensity of home care. It was found that older age is associated with increased frailty and decreased social networks, which may contribute to the greater need for home care.
A number of studies showed that people who are open to new experiences, such as hobbies or social activities, were more likely to use home care than those who did not have these interests. Furthermore, older adults who were fearful of falling or of having a fall were more likely to use home care. Therefore, it is important to educate home care workers in the prevention of falls and on safe mobility strategies. This will promote a more positive attitude towards the use of home care and may help to increase its uptake among those with higher risks of needing it. This will ultimately lead to a healthier, more satisfied and happier life for both the elderly care recipient and their families.