home healthcare

HOME HEALTHCARE

Definition of home healthcare
Home Healthcare is care provided in the client’s home. It encompasses care to all age of client’s with both chronic and acute healthcare needs. Home healthcare is defined by Mcnamara (1982) as :
That component of comprehensive healthcare where services are provided to individuals and families in their places of residence for the purpose of promoting, maintaining, or restoring health or minimizing the effect of illness and disability. Service appropriate to the needs of the individual client and family are planned, coordinated, and made available by an agency or institution or institution, organized for the delivery of healthcare through the use of employed staff, contractual, arrangement, or a combination of administrative pattern.
When providing home healthcare, nurses integrate community health principles focusing on environmental socioeconomic, cultural and personal health factors that affect the individual’s and family’s health (Humphrey & Milone-Nuzzo, 1991). The essential components of home healthcare are the client, the family, healthcare professionals from various disciplines, and goals to facilitate the client in reaching maximum independence and health status.
Healthcare providers are accustomed to the hospital client who conform to the hospital routine and to the hospital’s who schedule for eating, bathing, taking medications, and visiting with their families. Home care nursing is unique because once the nurse crosses the threshold of the client’s home, care must be adapted to the client’s schedules, customs and needs. The hallmark of a home care nurse is the ability to blend clinical skills with flexibility to provide quality client care.
Member
Role
Physical


Nurse



Physical therapist


Occupational therapist

Speech pathologist


Social worker




Home health aide
Certifies that the client has a health problem to receive home healthcare. Prescribes and certifies a plan of care for treatment for the client receiving home healthcare
Provides direct care to client and families. Teaches client and family self-care. Conducts research to ensure cost effectiveness and quality of care. May be administrator of home health agency
Provides direct care, such as muscle strengthening exercises, gait training and massage. Teaches client and family to promote self-care
Evaluates the client’s functional level and teaching activities to promote self-care in activities of daily living. Assesses the home for safety and provides adaptive equipment as necessary
Provides direct care services to clients with speech, language, or hearing needs. Teaches client and family to facilitate speech and language ability as well as eating and swallowing
Assist client and family in dealing with the social, emotional and environment factors that affect their well-being. Makes referral to appropriate community resources. Provides assistance with securing equipment and supplies, and for healthcare finances.
Implement the plan of care designed by the nurse. Assists clients with hygiene. May carry out light housekeeping

Collaborative roles of members of the home healthcare team
Prior to the late 1980s, home care nurses were considered general. Recently, many home care nurse, have begun to specialize in advanced practice skills to meet the growing demands encountered in caring for the acutely ill client at home. Some of these specialties include enterostomal therapy, cardiac care, mental healthcare and maternal/ child healthcare. Specialized nursing knowledge and skill, combined with more sophisticated technology, means that many clients with acute and chronic healthcare needs can be treated safety and effectively in the home.
The nursing profession has its roots in home care. During the past several decades, most of nursing practice has taken place in the hospital setting. As the home care industry continues to grow, the practice of nursing is coming full circle and is moving back to the home.

Characteristics Of The Home Health Nurse
Nurse choose to practice home health nursing for various reasons. Many nurses enjoy practicing in an autonomous setting where they can use their expertise in an expanded role. Others enjoy the ability to manage their time independently and appreciate the satisfaction derived from clients as they welcome them into their home and into their life. Home care nurses find satisfaction in networking with other community agencies to provide individualized care. Home health nursing provided a channel through which nurses can use creativity in their delivery of care.