Many older people struggle with daily personal care. According to the National Health and Aging Trend Study, just one-third of people aged 65 and older can carry out self-care without some kind of assistance. 

These results emphasize the importance of home care services to help the aging population stay in their homes longer. 

Medical home care services are sometimes a necessary part of seniors’ health. However, loved ones shouldn’t underestimate non-medical home care services’ value in supporting seniors’ overall health, wellness, and independence. 

What are non-medical home care services?

Non-medical home care services help senior people or those with mobility issues maintain their quality of life in their own homes. People other than medical professionals deliver this care.

Traditionally non-medical home care services focused on satisfying clients’ physical, emotional, or social needs. They included bathing, meal planning, medication reminders, and companionship. 

However, over time non-medical home care services have evolved to take a more holistic approach to care. Most of these services now deliver a comprehensive plan for care that helps recipients live safely and with dignity in their own homes.

How are non-medical home care services different from medical home care services?

Non-medical home care services differ from medical home care services in several ways:

• The role of doctors: Doctors prescribe medical home care services. While doctors can give referrals for non-medical home care services, people can also book them without referrals.
• Client wellness: Medical home care services help people with health emergencies and manage chronic conditions. People with no existing medical conditions can use non-medical home care services to help them proactively manage their health and wellbeing.
• Services: Medical home care services often use conventional medicine and care methods, including wound care, occupational therapy, and mobility training. Non-medical home care services build on traditional approaches with modern innovations, including lifestyle medicine and digital therapeutics.

How has technology changed non-medical home care services?

Technology has helped the non-medical home care services industry advance to serve its clients better. Industry innovators like Routinify have embraced the Telecare movement. They’ve seen the potential for this technology to help seniors and others in need maintain their independence while reducing anxiety for their loved ones. 

Telecare has changed non-medical home care in the following ways:

• Reduced the need for caretakers to be physically present with technology. Many clients prefer this as it helps them maintain privacy and comfort in their homes
• Helped care providers expand their reach by allowing them to connect to people in remote rural communities
• Provided tailormade solutions designed to meet the needs of seniors and their CareCircle of family members, friends, and healthcare providers

What do excellent non-medical home care services do?

The best non-medical home care services achieve several things:

• Help seniors remain in their homes, allowing them to maintain independence and dignity. Engaging with these services can be critical to long-term wellness plans.
• Help the family feel confident their aging relatives are safe and healthy in their homes. Non-medical home care services reduce the burden on loved ones, providing peace of mind without impacting their ability to work and maintain social commitments.
• Help home and health care agencies and senior living centers support seniors while they maintain their independence.

What you should do now: Talk to non-medical home care services providers.

When looking for non-medical home care, including Telecare, make sure the providers take a holistic approach. They should focus on the entire well-being of their clients and their CareCircle. They should also address all aspects of health and wellbeing, rather than only assisting clients in specific areas such as fall detection.

Reach out to Routinify to talk to us about your loved one’s non-medical home care needs. We’ll use the information you give us to tailor a personal care plan for your loved one’s long-term wellness and independence. This plan will involve a mix of health and wellness routines, reminders, technological innovations, and tools to benefit your loved one and CareCircle.

Is Routinify the ideal solution for you?

Aging often makes self-care and getting around more difficult, but it doesn’t need to mean moving out of the home. Home care services, including non-medical home care services, can help the ones you love remain independent in their homes and enjoy a better quality of life. 

Technology, including telehealth services like WellAssist, help non-medical home care services serve clients even better. You can read more about the benefits of WellAssist on our website. 

To learn more about WellAssist and how it can help you and your senior family member or friend, sign up for a free webinar at the Routinify website.