How In-Home Care Can Complement Home Health Care in the Raleigh Area

Even though they seem similar, "in-home care" and "home health care" are really two separate but sometimes mistaken types of care options for seniors. Unless you or a loved one has utilized these services, you may not know how the two types of care may assist older adults in Raleigh, Cary, Wake Forest, Fuquay-Varina, Apex, and surrounding areas in Wake County, NC.

Whether your elderly loved one is dealing with a chronic health condition, recuperating from surgery or an accident, or just needs some extra TLC, both in-home care and home health care may help you put together a comprehensive plan of care that will put them in the company of experienced and caring professionals.

At Visiting Angels of Raleigh, our in-home care services have been complementing any home health care services our clients have received since 2000. Thanks to our team of dedicated caregivers, you can rest easy knowing your loved one will get the level of care and support they need in the comfort of their own home.

Understanding Home Health Care and In-Home Care and How They Can Help Seniors in Raleigh, NC and Surrounding Areas

Whether you've never heard of in-home care and home health care before or you're interested in looking into both options for a senior loved one, it's important to understand how both types of care work and how they can help seniors in Raleigh and surrounding areas get the care they need.

Home health care refers to medical services provided in the client's home, usually by a skilled medical provider like registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), licensed home health aides, or physical, occupational or speech therapists. Home health care visits are typically short-term and intermittent because they focus on providing a specific service until the client recovers and determined by a physician based on the client's needs. Some examples of what clients may receive from home health care visits include injections, wound care, intravenous (IV) or medication therapy, health monitoring services, or rehabilitation services such as physical therapy.

In-home care refers to non-medical services that are often provided by professional personal caregivers (although in some cases, in-home care can be provided by family members, but there are many more benefits to hiring a professional caregiver). This type of care focuses on helping the client with their everyday needs and, since it doesn't focus on alleviating a specific condition, caregiver visits are typically decided by the client or their family. An example of some services that are included under the in-home care umbrella are personal care (such as help bathing and getting dressed), meal preparation, light housekeeping, running errands, toileting and incontinence care, medication reminders, mobility and transferring assistance, transportation, and companionship.

How Can In-Home Care Complement Home Health Care?

While home health care and in-home care address different needs, they may be combined to provide an all-encompassing approach to senior care. Some of the ways that in-home care can complement home health care include:

• Extend the period of care: Home health care is often only provided until the client has recovered from a specific health issue. However, in-home care can be provided for however long the client feels they need it, meaning they can continue to receive assistance even after they've recovered. In many cases, receiving continual care even after home health care visits have ended can help reduce the likelihood of experiencing another health issue and can help the client's overall quality of life.


• Help seniors adhere to recommendations from their healthcare provider: Even after the last home health care visit, many seniors need to follow recommendations to maintain their health in order to reduce the chances of another health issue. However, seniors who live on their own may struggle to follow these directions due to age-related mobility or cognitive issues. However, in-home care providers can be helpful in ensuring the client follows their doctor's directions to maintain their health by providing reminders when it's time to take certain medications, provide transportation to follow-up appointments, prepare healthy meals, and more.


• Provide families with peace of mind: In-home care providers not only assist seniors with everyday tasks, but they also serve as another air of "eyes and ears." They are often keeping a close eye on the client and ensuring they don't experience any significant changes to their health, behavior, or overall well-being. They also frequently communicate with families and home health care providers if they notice any concerning changes. With professional in-home care to complement home health care services, you can always be in the know regarding how your loved one is doing.

Why Families in Raleigh, NC and Surrounding Areas Choose In-Home Care from Visiting Angels

If you're looking for a reliable in-home care provider in Wake County, choose Visiting Angels of Raleigh. Since 2000, we've been providing a personalized approach to caring for elderly and disabled adults in Raleigh, Cary, Wake Forest, Fuquay-Varina, Apex, and nearby communities. With Visiting Angels, clients are in total control of the care they receive, including the services they need, how often caregivers visits, which caregiver they work with, and more. We also ensure that families are kept aware of their loved ones are doing by providing regular updates.

If your loved one is currently receiving home health care services, our in-home care services can complement their current care plan by:

• Providing transitional care once your loved one has been discharged from the hospital so they can return home without issue;


• Assisting with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), including making meals, bathing, getting from room to room, and more;


• Ensuring they remember when to take medications, can safely get to and from follow-up medical appointments, and anything else they need to ensure a full recovery;


• Providing overnight assistance and 24-hour home care so your loved one can have a caring and compassionate presence with them at all times.

If you're ready to get started with professional in-home care from Visiting Angels, call our Raleigh, NC office at 919-787-4317 or fill out our form to set up a free in-home consultation!