Family caregivers are critical to the success of a home healthcare patient.
After a surgery, diagnosis of a chronic illness or injury, a physician may order home healthcare to continue the recuperation process at home. Nurses, therapists and home health aides are part of the home healthcare team, but family caregivers are also an important aspect of the patient’s support network.
Family caregivers in home healthcare
Home healthcare helps patients recover safely at home. However, home health is intermittent care, which means nurses or aides are not in the home 24/7. As a result, there may be times when the caregiver will need to help with their loved one’s care for certain tasks like medication reminders.
Family caregivers also help the home health nurses and therapists by serving as an extra set of eyes to watch for infections or a decline in health. If a family caregiver sees a change in their loved one’s health, they can call the home health nurse and help prevent a possible health crisis.
It’s important for family caregivers to understand their loved one’s care plan and learn about their loved one’s condition. The more educated a caregiver is, the more confident he or she will feel during their home health journey. Our nurses and therapists are trained to help educate patients and their caregivers on best practices to ensure optimal recovery.
When you need an extra hand
For many, the daily stress of caring for a loved one can become overwhelming. It is not uncommon for caregivers to put the needs of their loved ones first – and risk burnout. That’s why it’s important for caregivers to seek resources to alleviate this stress. Utilizing VNA Private Care services isn’t just beneficial to your loved one, but as a caregiver, you will find much needed respite and comfort in our services.
When enlisting the help of private care services for your loved one, you, as the caregiver, will have time to take care of yourself, to run errands or focus on other family obligations. And you can rest easy knowing that when you can’t be there for your loved one, a professional VNA caregiver can be.
Having additional personal time will allow you to be a more effective long-term caregiver, and you will have peace of mind knowing that a team of skilled and thoroughly vetted healthcare professionals is overseeing the health and well-being of your loved one.