Caring for

time-consuming.

Skilled nursing tasks, such as injections, wound care, changing a colostomy bag, suctioning secretions from a tracheotomy tube or monitoring a ventilator, are often more than most family caregivers can safely take on. Around-the-clock supervision and higher levels of care and training may become necessary.

In these cases, home healthcare is hired on a long-term basis until the patient’s needs exceed what can be provided in the home.

In theory, the same level of care provided in nursing homes can be provided by professional caregivers in a home environment. However, 24/7 home care is pricey — especially when needed for an extended period. Many families eventually decide that inhome care is no longer the best option.

Services usually conclude when a person moves to a higher level of residential care, such as an assisted living facility, a memory care unit or a nursing home. [Ed. Note: At the same time, there are occasions when a resident of one of these facilities may also want to hire a part-time home care aide, for example, during a period of recovery from a hospitalization.]

Hiring home care services

Finding the best type of care for an aging loved one can be tricky. Regardless of whether services are intended to be temporary or permanent, in-home care can keep people happy and healthy in their own homes, and can often delay or completely prevent the need for a long-term care facility.

Do your homework, ask lots of questions and learn as much as possible about your loved one’s health status and current and future needs.

If you’ve determined that in-home care is the right fit, you’ll want to seek referrals from physicians, friends and family members and begin the interview and in-home consultation process with providers in your area.

This article was originally published by AgingCare.com. It has been reprinted with permission.

Baltimore County Department of Aging is turning 45 and inviting all Baltimore County writers and artists 50 and older to interpret BCDA’s 2023 theme, Living Longer, Living Well, to celebrate the occasion. The entries will be exhibited at the Power of Age Expo on Thu., Oct. 26, at the Timonium Fairgrounds. The top two winners in each category will receive a prize.

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Fri., Sept. 8, at

For more information, visit powerofageexpo.com, email powerofageexpo@baltimorecountymd.gov or call (410) 887-2002.