Weekly Reflection Ch. 5

  Home health care is a term that describes both skilled and unskilled services offered to individuals in the setting of their home. These skills can include nursing, numerous therapies, social work services and assistance with activities of daily living, each of the services offered are specialized to meet the needs of each individual's situation and not every client receives the same services. Services can be provided by agencies that are for profit , non-profit, or voluntary, or by friends and family of the patient and are paid for by private insurance coverage, out of pocket, or by public insurance in certain cases.
   There are both pros and cons to receiving in home healthcare services and many times depending on an individuals economic status often determines the amount of pros or cons a person can have. Pros can include still being able to enjoy your own home, privacy, family and friends being able to access you at any hour, individualized services. Cons can include: restricted hours of care and assistance, high cost to transform your home into a place that meets your health needs, family or friends have to provide and maintain a certain level of assistance.
   Many factors are applying to the reasons people are choosing home healthcare services therefore, opportunities for growth and services are also growing within the healthcare field. It is important for social workers to understand the needs of this population of people and how these needs can be met by all health professions. Understanding and cooperating with other professions, understanding and being culturally competent with diverse populations values and beliefs, and being familiar with client needs as well as services that agencies offer, can optimize a social workers ability to provide excellent services for clients as well as improve the credibility of our profession.
  Advocating for patients and their families is also a huge part of the home health care aspect. I found it very interesting that chapter five noted that often times, families and friends want to offer as much help and services to their loved one, but many times the job is too much and they become burnt out and overworked with little to no pay. Situations like abuse and neglect of the elderly and disabled can stem from such stressful circumstances. Social workers and other professionals have begun to advocate for these people and have started to make real differences and impact on the lives of patients and caregivers. It is helpful to know that people need not only our direct services but our indirect services can also make a difference in peoples lives. I will be sure to remember that in my future as a social worker.

Reference:

Cowles, L. A. F. (2003). Social work in the health field: A care perspective. Routledge.