What is home care

We know that you want the best care possible for your loved one.  But, sometimes getting the answers and information you need can be difficult.  Lifeline Homecare wants to help you understand in-home care and what your options are.

Types of Home Care

The term home care describes two very different types of care:

  • Skilled home health care is provided by a licensed professional or registered nurse, or a licensed therapist for which you need a physician order.
  • Non-medical home care is provided by professional caregivers who perform variety of services including personal care, homemaker, transportation, respite, companionship, etc.  No direct medical care is provided with non-medical home care.

Lifeline Homecare is certified as a non-medical home care provider, under which services do not need a physician’s order.

The activities for which non-medical home care may be provided include the Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLS).

ADLs are basic activities and functions performed on a daily basis that are usually done without assistance.  As our loved ones age, many of these basic activities and functions become more difficult.  ADLs include:

  • Eating
  • Dressing
  • Bathing
  • Toileting
  • Grooming
  • Oral Care
  • Transferring
  • Walking or using a wheelchair
  • Continence

IADLs are activities that are instrumental to our daily routines such as:

  • Preparing meals
  • Doing housework
  • Laundry
  • Shopping
  • Limited medication assistance
  • Using the telephone
  • Transportation