Home Helpers caregivers are trained to offer a wide array of non-medical services to seniors and others in need of assistance. Our services allow clients to remain active and independent as they age or recover from an injury, surgery or illness.
Our non-medical care is designed to allow clients to remain safe and healthy in the comfort of home.
Care is provided wherever it is needed: in the home, retirement community, nursing home, hospital or rehabilitation center. Our carefully screened and highly trained caregivers are available to step in wherever and whenever they are needed.
Individualized care plans might include:
Personal Care
Bathing. A caregiver may assist clients with bathing. Caregivers are trained to provide maximum privacy and comfort while showering or bathing someone in their care.
Dressing. A caregiver may assist a client with dressing. This may include assistance with ordinary clothing and application of support stockings of the type that can be purchased without a physician’s prescription. A caregiver may not assist with application of an Ace bandage and anti-embolic or other pressure stockings that can be purchased only with a physician’s prescription.
Shaving. A caregiver may assist a client with shaving only with an electric or a safety razor.
Toileting. A caregiver may assist a client to and from the bathroom, provide assistance with bed pans, urinals and commodes; provide pericare; or change clothing and pads used for the care of incontinence.
A caregiver may empty or change external urinary collection devices, such as catheter bags or suprapubic catheter bags. In all cases, the insertion and removal of catheters and care of external catheters is considered skilled care and shall not be performed by a caregiver. However, a Home Helpers nurse can provide this level of care.
A caregiver may empty ostomy bags and provide assistance with other client-directed ostomy care only when there is no need for skilled skin care. A caregiver will not perform digital stimulation, insert suppositories or give an enema.
Hair care. Our caregivers may assist clients with the maintenance and appearance of their hair, include shampooing with non-medicated shampoo or shampoo that does not require a physician’s prescription, drying, combing and styling hair.
Mouth care. A caregiver may assist in and perform mouth care. This may include denture care and basic oral hygiene.
Nail care. A caregiver may assist with nail care, including soaking of nails, pushing back cuticles without utensils, and filing of nails. Assistance by a caregiver may not include nail trimming.
Light Housekeeping
Our caregivers are not intended to replace “cleaning ladies” or a regular cleaning service. They will, however, keep the kitchen clean, run a vacuum and tidy-up as necessary.
Laundry and Bedding
Home Helpers caregivers can wash, dry, sort, fold and even iron a client’s clothing. Caregivers also can clean and change sheets and other linens as needed.
Transportation
Caregivers can provide transportation and assistance in completing activities such as shopping, and appointments outside of the home. The caregiver may drive the client’s car or their own car. If utilizing a caregiver’s car, a mileage charge will be assessed.
Meal Preparation
Caregivers are available to assist with every step of meal preparation, from shopping and menu planning to cooking and cleanup. Discuss your food preferences with Home Helpers. We will attempt to place a caregiver with particular knowledge and experience with the foods that you enjoy most! Caregivers will adhere to any dietary restrictions necessary.
Medication Reminders
A caregiver may assist a client with medication reminding only when medications have been pre-selected by the client, a family member, a nurse, or a pharmacist and are stored in containers other than the prescription bottles, such as medication minders.
Medication minder containers must be clearly marked as to day and time of dosage. Medication reminding includes: inquiries as to whether medications were taken; verbal prompting to take medications; handing the appropriately marked medication minder container to the client; and opening the appropriately marked medication minder container for the client if the client is physically unable to open the container. These limitations apply to all prescription and all over-the-counter medications.
Comfort Dog Visits
In partnership with K9 Comfort Dog Ministry of St. John’s Lutheran Church of Darien, we are proud to offer clients free visits with Jeremiah, a dog specially trained to provide peace, comfort and companionship.
