These services generally fall under three categories :
- Companionship
- Home Helper
- Personal Care
- Specialized Care
Companionship
Companionship services are those that stimulate, encourage and assist an individual.
The primary responsibilities of Companionship services include the following :
Providing companionship and conversationProviding stabilization and assistance with walkingPreparing meals and cleaning up meal-related itemsProviding medication reminders and appointment remindersHome Helper
Home Helper services generally involve light housekeeping, errands or incidental transportation.
The primary responsibilities of Home Helper services include the following :
Performing light housekeeping tasks (dusting, vacuuming, making beds, changing linens, cleaning bathrooms, kitchens, etc.)Washing and ironing laundryRunning errandsAccompanying clients to appointmentsPersonal Care
Personal Care services are personal in nature and often include assistance with activities of daily living.
The primary responsibilities of Personal Care services include the following :
Assisting with bathingAssisting with groomingAssisting with toileting and incontinence issuesSpecialized Care
Conducting frequent care-planning assessments to identify new challenges and provide solutions.Accompanying a client on doctor visits to be the family's eyes and ears when they need a respite.Providing family education and support so families can learn about aging and use effective techniques with their loved one.Assist with medication administration, wound care and home dialysis, among other servicesProvide hospice and palliative care to assist clients through end of life in the home setting.In addition, Specialized Services may include more skilled, home health-adjacent services to assist a client to remain safely in their home as their health declines or through end of life. Specialized services may include RN delegated tasks such as :
Medication management and administrationDiabetic / glucose testing managementWound careIncontinence care / catheter careFeeding tubesOxygen therapyVital signs tracking and interpretingFoot and nail carePhysical therapy / physiotherapyMassageHome dialysisSecondary Responsibilities
Secondary responsibilities include the following :
Contributing to a positive living environment to enhance a client’s quality of lifePerforming other reasonable duties as assignedReporting hours according to office policyReporting any significant changes in a client’s needs or living conditionsRegularly communicating with supervisor and office staff