As we age, after surgery, or when dealing with a chronic condition, having someone who is around to assist you with daily activities can be extremely helpful. Depending on the circumstances, your loved ones may live far away or have too many other responsibilities to offer you the help you need. A nurse provides home care as well as medical expertise that can help you live a happier, healthier life in your condition.
Home health care offers support with a variety of things you do on a daily basis. Nurses can help you with medication, personal care, meal preparation, and so much more. It provides added safety if you live alone or have trouble getting around, and an in-home nurse also becomes someone you can confide in and ask for advice. Here are some of the most important benefits to having a nurse with you day to day.
Skilled Nursing Care at Home
No one wants to spend extended periods of time in a hospital, and this is also not very realistic. However, whether you are recovering from surgery, illness, or dealing with old age, having the skills of a nurse in your home can be helpful. With a personal nurse, you get the expertise you would receive in the hospital, without having to give up the comfort of your own home.
Diet and Nutrition
When you are recovering, or as you get older, receiving the proper nutrition can be difficult to manage on your own. Individuals who are dealing with ongoing medical issues often need to pay closer attention to their eating habits, and having someone with experience in this helping you every day can make it a lot easier. Depending on what you have going on, you may not fully understand what foods are good for your recovery and what foods are not, but a nurse will be able to guide you through this.
Medication Management and Reminders
Medication can also be confusing to manage on your own, and remembering to take everything you need each day can become stressful on top of the rest of your responsibilities. Taking your medication on time, and properly, can be vital to your recovery or overall health, so having someone there to ensure you are doing everything right can be very beneficial.
Companionship
As we get older, we cannot do everything that we used to be able to do, and if you live alone you might find yourself feeling very lonely. Likewise, when you are recovering from illness or surgery you are likely missing out on activities and seeing people, and this feeling of loneliness can manifest quickly into depression. If you find yourself limited to your home, having an in-home nurse can be a good source of companionship.
In-home nurses will often be available to do activities with you outside of medical care. This could be anything from taking a walk, reading, playing games, preparing meals, and so much more. Patients often form very meaningful bonds with their nurses that both parties cherish.
Better Health Outcomes
Research shows that patients who have caregivers in their homes have better clinical results and fewer complications. This is especially true for individuals who have chronic conditions like pneumonia, diabetes, or COPD.
Increased Safety
Whether you are dealing with decreased mobility due to old age, or you are in recovery, not being capable of getting around as easily as you once could puts you in danger. Without proper mobility, you are more likely to fall down and injure yourself. You may also attempt to do things that you shouldn’t, like lifting something heavy, which can delay your recovery or make your situation worse.
With a nurse in your home, you have someone who is able to give you a hand with things that might be more difficult to do now, which decreases your risk of injury.
Jenn Walker is a freelance writer, blogger, dog-enthusiast, and avid beach goer operating out of Southern New Jersey.
