Companion care is one of those industries that is a bit misunderstood. Many people want to assume we are able to do some things we cant and don't think we can do some tasks that we can. So I thought it would be a good time to clear up this whole misconception. That way those who believe we are their competition will know that we are actually their allies. Since we are the only Companion Care here in Western Oklahoma we really dont have any competition.
What is Home Care
So let's start off with what a Home care service actually does. Home care or Companion care is a service that is provided where someone assists a person in a nonmedical way. This may be where they help an elderly person clean a house, or cook food. These are nonmedical activities.
Where Home Health does more hands-on activities with the client. That may be getting vitals, giving medication, and Lifting Clients so they can get out of bed. These are very hands-on and they are actually outside our scope of coverage. We are not allowed to do these by the state of Oklahoma. If we lift clients we are actually venturing into the medical side and that's not in our license. So, a good rule of thumb is if we have to touch the client to get a specific result then we can't do it. Home care is hands-off
Home care is able to be more of an assistant than a caretaker. As mentioned we can do cooking or meal prep. We can help clean homes and do the laundry. We can assist in getting in and out of a shower, but that is by offering an arm to hold onto, not lifting.
So Homecare is where you have a client that could be a fall risk and we are there to make sure if they do they have the proper medical team show up. Home care is allowing an elderly man to be able to stay in his home instead of going to a nursing home. We can help mom, who is arthritic, stand up if her cane isn't nearby so she can get ready for a church function.
Things a home care professional can do are
- Housekeeping
- Personal Laundry
- Changing bed
- Meal Planning
- Assistance in feeding
- Companionship
- Errands
- Personal Grooming
- Assistance in dressing
We can also help them meet their social engagements like Doctor visits, church, reaching doctors' appointments, or other appointments, We can help with grocery shopping too.
One way we are on the side of healthcare providers is when the family is wanting someone to sit with a client who is either in the hospital or on hospice/palliative care. This is something we are able to do. We can be with someone at the end stages of their life. That way they don't pass alone.
While Home health can't sit with a client for more than 30 minutes we can go as long as needed. Need us 24 hours. We can provide someone for our clients around the clock.
What Companion Care isn't
Home care isn't medically licensed. We cant take vitals for someone. We cant lift them. Since we aren't medical we can't accept medicare or Medicaid. These are welfare programs designed to help those with medical problems.
Since home care isn't medical we do cost less this is because we do not have to employ nurses. Nurses spent a lot of time in school getting their degrees and licensing so they command higher pay. That pay would in turn be passed down to our client so companion care isn't expensive as compared to trying to pay for home health care out of your pocket.
What Home Health is
Home Health is a godsend when you are needing to get well at home. If you are recovering from surgery but have some major disabilities. Your Doctor may have a home health provider come and check on you. Home health is health care related and covers many different fields of home healthcare. Home health can do in-home physical therapy or any other type of therapy for that point. Occupational therapy, yeah there are many types of therapy that can be done from the house. This is why Home healthcare is so nice to have
What Home Health isn't
Home Health isn't like home care because they aren't a sitter service. They have many different patients and clients they have to attend to so they aren't able to spend as much time with each person as does home care. Home health is for folks with medical problems while home health is for people who just need a little assistance.