Getting help at home: What a home health nurse will do

By Bilal

A home health nurse is an RN (registered nurse) or a licensed practical/vocational nurse (LPN/LVN) who provides different types of care to patients of all ages in their own homes. 

The role of a home health nurse is to provide out-of-hospital, cost-effective nursing care. 

What to expect when a home health nurse visits your home?

Home health nurses have many responsibilities. These responsibilities will vary from patient to patient, depending on your age and the type of care you require. 

The following are some examples of their duties:

• Administer medications at home and supervise medication schedules.

• Care for wounds to prevent infection.

• Assist with personal care, such as bathing, grooming, and feeding.

• Monitor vital signs and health status, and properly record them.

• Educate patients and their families or caregivers to support recovery.

• Offer emotional support so patients can thrive in their own environment.

• Case management to coordinate any additional medical services, such as speech therapy, social work, occupational therapy, physical therapy, etc.

Do I need a home health nurse?

Home health nurses work with people across all age groups in their homes. Common examples of people receiving home health include the following:

• Patients of any age recovering from surgery.

• Patients with chronic or long-term illnesses.

• Elderly patients who want to maintain their independence.

• Patients with disabilities who can live at home with support.

• Mothers who need postpartum recovery and infant care support.

In general, anyone who needs nursing care but does not require inpatient hospital monitoring can be cared for by a home health nurse.

Patients' expectations of home health nurses

As a patient, you want your home health nurse to be:

• Compassionate

• Empathetic

• Respectful of your privacy

• Reliable

• Punctual

Tip: If you are looking for a home health nurse for a member of your family, try to meet them beforehand to make sure they meet your expectations.

Protecting patient privacy in their own homes

Nurses have an obligation to safeguard patients' personal information, regardless of the setting. In other words, patient privacy is one of their priorities, even in the patient’s home. Home health nurses should therefore abide by the following:

• Collect only necessary information.

• Share information only with other members of the healthcare team.

• Obtain consent if they need to disclose information outside the healthcare team.

• Ensure that patient data is securely stored.

Even when a home health nurse stops working for a patient, they are obligated to maintain confidentiality indefinitely. Patients have control over their health information, whether at home or in the hospital.

How do home health nurses help your recovery and well-being?

The hospital setting can be very stressful for recovery. The loud sounds and lack of familiarity often make it hard for patients to feel truly comfortable. It’s not surprising that, often, people would rather recover at home.

Depending on your condition, nurses can support your recovery in a comfortable and familiar environment—your home—which can reduce anxiety and stress and improve your quality of life.

Studies have shown improved healthcare outcomes for home health care for stroke recovery and cardiac rehabilitation.

Benefits of having a home health nurse in your home

The following are some positive aspects of having a home health nurse:

• Faster recovery with more comfort.

• Lower risk of hospital-acquired infections.

• More support from your family members or caregivers.

• Lower cost compared to the cost of an extended hospital stay.

• More independence since you are in your own home.

Home health nurses: It’s your decision

Depending on your situation, you may benefit greatly from a home health nurse. Remember that this is a decision you can make as a family. Sometimes, hospitalization is avoidable with appropriate support and services in your home.

Additionally, healthcare professionals must comply with HIPAA to protect patient privacy. So, whether you decide to have a home health nurse or not, your privacy is protected.

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