The Different Roles of Home Health Aides, Professional Nursing Care, and CNA’s in Patient Home Care

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My mom lived to be 78, she died peacefully a few days after we placed her in hospice. She did not want to die at home, she joked that was for the rich folks, she would tease. She had survived breast cancer twice in remission, then when she lost her balance at my college graduation. Sadly, the horrible ordeal of cancer had showed her a bad hand once again.

It had return with a vengeance, she was then in her early 70’s and my older sibling thought it was the end. However, as the baby son of the family, me and my wife was not giving up. The oncologist had given her prognosis a grim update, she only had months to live. So, we moved her out of her apartment and gave her our college bound daughter’s old room.

Like most independent older adults, they are very stubborn and set in their ways. They don’t like to live with anyone nor do they like being told what to do by their grown children.Furthermore, my wife was getting a bit frustrated, because when my mom got sick from her chemotherapy, someone had to be around to make sure she was ok.

In retrospect, I must say the chemotherapy did its thing, sure she lost her beautiful silver hair, had neuropathy and dark colored nails. Nonetheless, my older sisters made sure she was well taken care of. We also had an Registered Nurse who was in charge of her care plan, and since she did have insurance, they sent home care aides and or nurse’s assistant in three times a week.

This respite gave me my wife a huge break.We could leave to go visit our daughter in school, and be satisfied that someone was there trained to care for her.

Furthermore, when choosing someone to care for your relatives in your home, make sure they are qualified.And if your insurance or any other means allow it, make sure you consult with a professional nurse.

Registered nurses are the best in what they do, they are trained in all aspects of illnesses. Some RN’s work closely with oncologists and have working knowledge of cancer care at home and a medical facility. Fortunate for us, my mom was a retired school teacher and had the proper insurance and money to live comfortably. Yet the cancer had return, ruining any chances of a beach side lifestyle.

Understanding home health, professional nursing care, CDS, nurse’s aids and certification:

CDS:

The MO CDS Program, Is a Medicaid Funded program that gives seniors and people with disabilities the flexibility and freedom to choose their caregivers, including family members and friends!

If you or your loved one has Medicaid and need help with activities of daily living, you may be eligible.

Home health care:

Home health care is a range of medical services that are provided in a patient’s home to help them recover from an illness or injury: 

• Nursing care: A registered nurse can provide wound dressing, ostomy care, intravenous therapy, medication administration, and other health support. 
• Therapy: Physical, occupational, and speech-language therapy can help patients regain their strength and mobility. 
• Activities of daily living: Home health aides can help with bathing, dressing, eating, and other daily tasks. 
• Housekeeping: Home health aides can help with cooking, cleaning, and laundry. 
• Medication management: Home health aides can help patients monitor their medication regimen.
• Certification, nurse’s aide:
• A certified nursing assistant (CNA) is a healthcare professional who provides basic care and support to patients in a variety of settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, and home health care: 
• DutiesCNAs perform a range of tasks, such as:
• Cleaning and bathing patients 
• Helping patients use the toilet and dress 
• Turning, repositioning, and transferring patients between beds and wheelchairs 
• Listening to and recording patients’ health concerns and reporting that information to nurses 
• Measuring patients’ vital signs, such as blood pressure and temperature 
• Serving meals and helping patients eat 
• Answering patient calls 
• Cleaning medical supplies and equipment

• RoleCNAs work under the supervision of licensed nursing staff, like registered nurses (RNs) or licensed practical nurses (LPNs). They often serve as a patient’s main caregiver and are the patient’s main contact throughout the day. 
• TrainingCNAs generally have a combination of vocational education, on-the-job training, mandatory certification, and specialized skills. Training programs are much shorter than nursing degree programs, taking only a few weeks to months.

Nurse Assistant:

A nurse assistant, also known as a nursing aide, is a member of a healthcare team who provides basic care and helps patients with daily activities: 

• Patient care: Assisting with bathing, dressing, feeding, and toileting 
• Vital signs: Measuring blood pressure and temperature 
• Health concerns: Listening to and recording patients’ health concerns and reporting them to nurses 
• Patient movement: Turning, repositioning, and transferring patients between beds and wheelchairs 
• Meal service: Serving meals and helping patients eat 
• Communication: Communicating with patients, their families, and other healthcare professionals 
• Patient support: Providing empathy and compassion to patients who may be in delicate states of health 

Nurse assistants work under the supervision of licensed nursing staff, such as registered nurses (RNs) or licensed practical nurses (LPNs). They can work in nursing homes, hospitals, assisted living facilities, and in home health care. 

To become a nurse assistant, you must complete state-approved training and pass a certification exam. Training programs typically last a year or less and include lectures, clinical experience, and a practical rotation.

Registered Nurse:

A registered nurse (RN) is a healthcare professional who provides patient care, educates patients and the public, and works with other healthcare professionals to promote health and prevent illness:

• ResponsibilitiesRNs assess patients’ needs and health problems, develop care plans, administer care, and maintain medical records. They may also advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention. 
• Work settingsRNs work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, community health centers, physicians’ offices, home healthcare services, nursing care facilities, schools, and outpatient clinics.

• Education and licensureTo become an RN, you must graduate from an accredited nursing program and pass the NCLEX-RN exam. You can earn an RN diploma, associate degree in nursing (ADN), or bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN). More states and employers are requiring or preferring BSN degrees. 

Schedule

RNs’ schedules vary depending on their work environment and specialty. For example, hospital and care facility nurses typically work shifts of 10 to 12 hours, three to four shifts per week. Nurses who work in schools or offices tend to work normal weekday business hours.

Role in the healthcare team

RNs play a critical role in patient care, working closely with doctors and other healthcare professionals. They gather and report critical information to doctors, who then observe symptoms and form diagnoses.

Final note:

It may be very stressful trying to find care for your loved ones at home, especially when they are sick. Many families only options is to place them in nursing homes or assisted living.

I have worked in the CNA field for many years, and I have seen so much from nursing homes to client’s care at their own homes. You have families who need a respite, and can’t depend on other members of the family to step in. As a results, they have to rely on Medicare/Medicaid, or paying out of pocket, to get someone to come into the homes when needed.

This is not a comprehensive approach to care, when it comes to needing professional nursing in your home. In closing, make sure you speak with your physician or health care team to find the right care for your loved ones.

Home health aides, professional nursing care, CDS, nurse’s aides, CNA’s, patient care, home healthcare, insurance coverage, care plan, at-home care.

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