When you are looking to hire a caregiver for your elderly loved one who is ill, you want to find an agency that actually specializes in care for certain diseases and conditions. A generally trained caregiver can be an expert at basic procedures like administering medicine and checking vitals, but you really want someone who knows a certain condition well. They know what certain things mean, what the different medications do, how to handle certain situations or subtle emergencies. An agency that also staffs hospitals and nursing facilities will have these specialty areas of care, because they have to have nurses and caregivers on hand for all different conditions.
Similarly, if you need staffing for your facility, it is a good idea to look for a staffing agency that also offers in-home care, because that is a sign that not only are the nurses trained and certified beforehand, but they are also then trained at the agency to offer an exceptional level of quality care. Staff from an agency like this is not only on top of their specialty, but they are above average in terms of care and bedside manner. They are also able to care for different conditions and circumstances.
If you are seeking in-home care for a sick and/or elderly loved one, there are three major levels of caregiver. These levels of care not only apply to in-home care, but to facility care, as well:
1. Certified Nursing Assistant, or CNA: This is basically non-skilled care. A CNA is trained to have general medical knowledge especially in case of emergency, but specializes in services like housework, meal preparation, companionship, and personal care. A CNA would best be staffed by a nursing facility or rehabilitation center as an assistant to a nurse, or a general assistant who can check on the patients frequently and attend to their needs that are less medical in nature.
2. Licensed Practical Nurse, or LPN: This is the next level of care, a certified nurse who cannot perform quite the same level of functions as an RN, but who can administer medications, monitor a disease, and help transport the patien. An LPN is a nurse who can perform many of the medical procedures needed by a nursing facility, rehabilitation center, or hospice, but may not possess the kind of training and experience necessary to work in a hospital, unless it is under the supervision of a registered nurse.
3. Registered Nurse, or RN: This is the highest level of care, and the highest level one can be licensed as a nurse. An RN can perform more advanced medical tasks and can more easily assess/diagnose a problem, still under a physician's direction. For example, an RN could be the go-to resource for diabetes care. He is the next best person to have around for constant care after an actual physician. An RN can be staffed at any type of facility, possessing the training, knowledge, and ability to offer nearly any type of care or attention that would be needed of a nurse. They are usually the choice for staffing hospitals.
Staffing these different levels offers a lot of valuable flexibility, so consult a representative of the agency to decide what is best for your loved one, and you can switch over time based on your loved one's need.
The agency can also offer these professionals to facilities, such as nursing homes, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and clinics. A CNA can be a great assistant at a facility, while an LPN or RN can take on the nursing roles. The agency may also offer other specialties for facilities.
All potential staff members for either your home or your facility offer the benefit of their medical education and their specialized care training, which come together to not only improve and maintain physical health for patients, but can improve the quality of life. That's why an agency that staffs both kinds of environments is such a good choice for quality employees.
Dale Anderson is a writer for Yodle, a business directory and online advertising company. Find a Health Care Provider at local.yodle.com/articles Yodle Local or more local.yodle.com/articles/topics/health-medicine Health Care articles at Yodle Consumer Guide.
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