Homebound patients require special attention due to the conditions that restrict them to their homes and the risks involved in their lifestyles. The go-to care options for such patients are either hospital care or home-based nursing since both methods complement each other, especially in a crisis. Therefore, a blend of both may help your patient. For example, even though hospitals have shortcomings in terms of fragmented follow-up and familiarity with the patient, they have the infrastructure and resources to help your loved one. Additionally, you can do more to ensure that your home-based care works for your functionally impaired or chronically ill patients to improve their health.

This article explores how you can address various aspects of homebound patient care.

1. Laws

The series of regulations that govern home-based care is barely monitored and irregularly applied. Most countries lack national or state laws to ensure that home-based care is of the highest quality. The only standards that exist are those brought about by national health insurance programs. Therefore, what exactly constitutes quality home-based care? The task of identifying the qualifications and standards is upon you. Seeing as minimal rules are governing the industry, you should come up with yours.

First, ensure that the home-based caregivers you entrust with your loved one have licenses, education, and training. Secondly, ensure you document all ongoing treatments, the meal plan, therapy sessions, and all other aspects of the patient's treatment history that will aid doctors in an emergency. Lastly, you should only hire a caregiver who offers a value-based service instead of a fee-for-service arrangement. 

2. Equipment and Infrastructure

Your loved one will benefit from life-sustaining equipment and assistive durable medical equipment, especially if they are in an acute condition. Always consult with your caregivers to ensure you purchase the right equipment. You should also conduct your research to ensure that you purchase critical equipment such as oxygen from reliable companies that deliver in time. You should also purchase all the essential items associated with monitoring and treating the patient during a crisis.

For example, ensure you have a thermometer, blood pressure monitor, pulse oximeter, and a glucometer. You may also purchase a Holter monitor for monitoring heart activity. These tools can help you diagnose an impending health risk and respond accordingly. 

3. Safety

Home settings present several safety concerns. The physical layout, sanitation, and infection control problems may hinder the caregiver from delivering quality services. Therefore, making the home safe should be a team effort between the family and caregivers. You can change the installations in your home to accommodate a wheelchair or hospital bed. The patient also requires continuous monitoring at all times for fall and infection prevention. Family members may take roles in keeping the patient company.

It would help if you also balanced between the freedom of the patient and the risks. Homebound care should not be harshly restrictive. However, continuous monitoring can ensure your loved one enjoys their autonomy without any risks. Your care provider should also train family members to assess and mitigate any risks at home. 

4. Home Visits

Home visits are an integral part of primary care for a homebound patient. You should ensure that the number of home visits increases even though it increases your caregiver's workload. The visit is a chance to explore sanitation, equipment, and infection control options to improve the patient's health. Home visits also help the general practitioner in evaluating the environment.

You can limit the problems encountered by homebound patients by creating strict standards, buying necessary equipment, making the home safe, and encouraging home visits from your caregiver. 

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