If your family is like most, you or someone close to you will eventually need professional home care to maintain an independent lifestyle. Although some recipients are younger – notably those who live with a disability – most people who benefit from home care services are aged 65 and older. In-home eldercare professionals wear many titles, including Home Health Aide (HHA) and Senior Care Specialist (SCS). To help ensure that your aging loved ones receive the care they deserve, here’s how to know the difference.
What Is a Home Health Aide (HHA)?
A Home Health Aide (HHA) is a professional caregiver trained to help clients maintain their personal hygiene and health in their chosen place of residence.
HHAs assist clients in many ways, starting with daily functions such as dressing, bathing, preparing meals, or providing socialization and companionship. Aides sometimes also take a patient’s vital signs or give them medicine under the direction of a licensed nurse. They can even help with planning for doctor’s appointments or coordinating transportation.
Additional HHA responsibilities may include:
- Grocery shopping
- Light housekeeping
- Reporting to supervision about a client’s health status
- Help organize a client’s schedule
- Coordinate care with therapists, doctors, and other medical professionals
Some aides work specifically with clients who have developmental or intellectual disabilities to help create a behavior plan and teach self-care skills, for example, doing laundry or paying bills.
How Do HHAs Assist Families?
Millions of Americans selflessly volunteer their time and talents each year to assist aging-in-place loved ones. And although serving as an informal caregiver is highly rewarding, it can also be physically, emotionally, and mentally demanding. As a result, many informal caregivers end up experiencing caregiver fatigue. Left unaddressed, this condition can lower the quality of life of both the caregiver and the care recipient.
The role of a Home Health Aide is to give tired family members a break so they can focus on their health and wellbeing, along with that of their loved ones.
What Is a Senior Care Specialist (SCS)?
A Senior Care Specialist (SCS) is a trained professional who can step in and relieve the pressure off family caregivers who may be feeling overwhelmed by the responsibilities of looking after an older loved one whose condition is deteriorating over time.
Also called Geriatric Care Managers, Aging Life Care Experts, or Eldercare Managers, an SCS can help families navigate the maze of care options and protocols – notably when they have never been thrust in that role before.
How Do SCSs Help Families?
Senior Care Specialists have diverse backgrounds in social work, nursing, physical and occupational therapy, financial management, and other related fields. Depending on their skills and experience, an SCS can help family members evaluate care needs, develop a short and long-term plan to meet those needs, initiate a care plan, and then adjust the plan as needed.
They sometimes even get involved with conflict resolution among family members when disagreements arise or advocate for those who want to stay involved but live out of town.
And since most seniors – and their families – desire in-home care as opposed to moving into a care facility, a Senior Care Specialist can be an invaluable resource while helping to coordinate care with a reputable home care provider.
Your Trusted Home Care Source in Fort Wayne, IN
Finding the right home care provider for your aging loved ones can be challenging. At Senior1Care, we provide trustworthy, compassionate home care services to seniors living in Huntertown, Leo-Cedarville, Grabill, Auburn, Bluffton, and the greater Fort Wayne, IN, area. Our experienced caregivers are trained to deliver professional, reliable care in the same respectful and friendly manner that they would treat their own family members.
At Senior1Care, we understand that having a caregiver in your loved one’s home is a decision that requires trust. Our goal is to build relationships with clients by listening to their needs and providing the highest level of quality care possible. We are committed to helping your loved ones maintain their well-being, independence, and comfort. To learn more about our flexible caregiving options or schedule a FREE assessment for a senior in the greater Fort Wayne, IN, area, visit us by clicking here now.
