How does home health care work in Nigeria

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How does home health care work in Nigeria

Introduction

An elderly parent, who just had surgery, would mostly need special attention and care which they will need especially after retuning home. This is where home health care comes in as one of the critical care service providers. Home health care is a type of health care service that is provided in the comfort of the patient’s home. It includes a wide range of health care services like nursing care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, companionship and housekeeping in some cases.

It is usually less expensive and more convenient than other types of health care, mainly hospitalization and nursing home. Home health care can be provided by a Home Care Agency like Rockgarden or by a family member or friend. It is important to note that it can be an important part of the care of an aged or sick person, it mostly helps the person to stay in their own home, and to avoid going into a nursing home or hospital. Getting such a service can also help the person recover from an illness or injury because managing the illness is better with the competence the care service gives the patient at that time.

If you have some special treatment plan for either chronic disease or other health conditions, this type of care can help the person to manage their medications, and to get the medical care that they need. Considering how important we take staying around families and loved ones in Africa, getting health care services in your home can also help the person to stay connected with their loved ones. Loved ones of aged or seniors should consider a home-based health care option when possible to allow them to stay in their own homes and maintain some level of independence.

In this post, we will be exploring, in detail, the importance of home health care services, who provides this care, and how can you get this type of care when you need one, even here in Nigeria.

What is home health care?

According to the National Institute on Aging, “Home health care is a wide range of health care services that can be provided in your home for an illness or injury.” Home health care is important because it allows people to receive the necessary treatments while remaining in the comfort of their own homes.

Seniors and the elderly who use these services are sensitive to location changes, and often prefer to be treated in their homes. A practical example is, having to move your parent to places like Abuja because they require special care, away from their homes in the village. They will be more prone to stress, discomfort, and other challenges.

Home health care services are typically provided by a home care agency, which employs nurses, therapists, and aides who visit patients in their homes. If you have an aged or ill loved one, home health care may be an option to consider as it provides peace of mind for you and your loved ones.

Who provides home health care in Nigeria?

There are many home health care providers in Nigeria, including home care agencies, private duty home care companies, and home health care services. However, home care agencies have been more prominent in providing this service because of the home health care services they offer.

Just in case you are wondering what exactly does home care service or agency entails, they are companies that provide trained personnel who offer home health services to patients in their own homes.

The home health care services provided by these agencies or home care companies include but are not limited to personal care, home help services, and skilled nursing care.

Home health care services are designed to meet the unique needs of each patient, and they are usually tailored to the specific situation.

For instance, home health care services for a patient who is recovering from surgery will be different from home health care services for a patient who is suffering from a chronic illness.

How does home health care work in Nigeria?

You have a patient who requires continuous health care, attention and assistance in their activities of daily living, but they want to remain in the comfort of their home, so what do you do?

The home health caregiver will come into the home and provide the needed services for the patient in their home.

The home health caregiver can be a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or a home health aide, which are sometimes called caregivers. Care like medication monitoring and management, wound care, bathing, dressing, and grooming.

A huge emphasis should be made on the importance of using only licensed and professional Nurses for these services, since they are the only ones allowed by law to perform nursing duties and give medications. This is why it’s also best to get this service only from a Home care agency with a proven track record of success.

To start with, a caregiver will work with the patient and their family to develop a plan of care. The plan of care will be tailored to the specific needs of the patient and will be based on the assessment of the home health caregiver.

In addition, there will be a regular home visit to provide the needed services which include physical, and occupational therapies, as well as home health aides in some cases as required. The home health caregiver will also keep in contact with the physician to keep them updated on the progress of the patient.

The home health caregiver will provide services until the patient can care for themselves or their condition has improved to the point where home health care is no longer needed.

Are there alternatives to home health care services?

One of the misconceptions about this type of service is mixing it up with the regular house help services that people hire to keep their homes tidy. The downside to this is, the patient is exposed to a lot of dangers, from leaving that important care in the hands of a total stranger, to risking the life of the patient in a case of a need for medical monitoring. At the moment in Nigeria, there are no alternatives to a proper home health care services, in fact, there is more need for home-based health care service providers. 

It is estimated that home health care services will be needed by about 1.6 million people in Nigeria by the year 2023. This is due to the increasing number of elderly people in the country. It is imperative to know this numbers and the huge demand for this care before considering the need for any alternative care services apart from home-based health care services.

A home care agency is a company that provides home health care services to patients by developing a personalized service routine and assigning the right caregiver to each patient in the comfort of their homes. These agencies are usually registered with the Nigerian Health Ministry. Home care agencies usually have a team of health care professionals, such as nurses, home health aides, and therapists, who work together to provide care to patients.

Home health care services can be provided to patients who are home-bound, meaning that they are unable to leave their homes without help. This services can also be provided to patients who can leave their homes but who need help with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, and feeding.

5 reasons you should consider home care services

Now that we know how this service works, it is also important for us to consider some of the reasons why home health care services are important and can be the best decision you can ever make when you need continuous health care services for your parents and aged relatives.

Home health care services can help patients recover from an illness or injury.

It can provide the critical care and support that patients need to recover from an illness or injury, which can help them regain their strength and independence.

Home health care services can help patients manage chronic conditions.

Chronic conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis, can be difficult to manage if there is no proper and adequate support and care which is readily available to access. Home health care services can help patients by providing the care and support they need to manage their chronic conditions.

Home health care services can help patients avoid hospitalization.

This is one of the most significant reasons for the choice of home-based health care services. Many people dislike hospitals, especially the aged, and home health care services can help patients by providing the care they need at home, avoiding the need for hospitalization. They will still be able to get the same amount of support regardless of the health condition they are managing.

Home health care services can help patients stay in their own homes.

Also, it can allow patients to stay in their own homes, rather than being admitted to a hospital or nursing home. This care services can also help patients who can leave their homes but who need help with activities of daily living, which including eating and feeding, dressing up daily and even keep-fit exercise regime.

Home health care services can save money.

It can help any patient who is looking for a way to cut off funds to can save money by avoiding the need for hospitalization or nursing home admission. This way, you are to huge cost attached to getting a hospital bed and staying there for a long time, which comes with huge financial implications. 

Conclusion

Home health care services can provide many benefits for patients, including helping them recover from an illness or injury, managing chronic conditions, and avoiding hospitalization. These care services are an important option for elderly loved ones who need continuous health care. If you need assistance in determining the type of care services you need for your aged loved ones, our team of expert can assist, all you need to do is to reach out to Rockgarden Home care agency by clicking here to get started. 

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