Complete Book of Home Health Care Author:Robert W. Buckingham A guide to understanding the practical alternatives to hospital care -- from home birth to home care of the disabled or dying weather elderly or young --and how to make these beneficial ideas work for you. — It is estimated that at least once in seven patients now cared for in hospitals or institutions could be treated as well or better ... more »at home. Among the benefits that have been noted by experts:
Wounds heal faster at home since the patient's state of mind, an important factor in recovery, is likely to be much more positive there.
Patients feel better and eat better when surrounded by familiar people and objects and given food prepared to their liking.
Patients take more responsibility for their own care when removed from the dependency fostered by institutional care.
The family has something to do that is concretely helpful to the patient and thus reduces its sense of helplessness.
Family members experience personal growth and insight from what they have shared.
Dying patients get the respect they deserve and the unique are they require.
The family, in keeping a terminally ill patient at home, has the opportunity to work through its grieving process and to eliminate guilt feelings that naturally occur.
Home care costs less.
The kinds of services available at home are expanding rapidly and the number of home care providers, both non-profit and private, is growing as well. In many communities throughout the country you can participate in such programs Home care is a humanitarian service whose time has come."