The language of home care can be confusing. What can a Home Health Aide do? How about a Homemaker? What is a "Live-In"?

Listed below are some definitions that may aide you in making your home care decision.

Registered Nurses (RN) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN's)-
Individuals who have college degrees in nursing (RN's) or who have state required educational training (LPN's) in nursing. Only Nurses are allowed by law to administer medications to a patient. Nurses have advanced knowledge and skills in medical care for patients with more advanced health issues.

Home Health Aides - have satisfactorily completed a competency evaluation, including "hand-on" performance of many skills which help patients at home. Attendance requirements as mandated by Federal and State regulations must be met. Home Health Aides assist clients with the activities of daily living, including bathing and dressing, medication monitoring and preparing meals.

Certified Nurses Aides - are supervised by a Registered Nurse, usually in long term care facilities but also work in private homes. They have completed specific training courses and passed the State Nurses Aide Exam and are qualified to perform all of the tasks done by Home Health Aides.

Personal Care Attendants - Many people acquire home care skills by taking care of family members and friends over a period of time. While not certified by the State, these caregivers are still qualified to perform light personal care tasks. An extensive interview determines skill proficiency.

Homemakers - provide general activities in the home to assist and/or instruct an individual in managing their own household. Generally speaking, this involves light housekeeping, shopping activity, meal preparation and laundry and transportation services.

Companions - provide safety, comfort and friendly assistance with tasks such as running errands, assistance with phone calls and correspondence, going for walks, making meals and light laundry. They provide just the right amount of help to allow the independent senior to remain safely at home.

Live-Ins - reside in the clients home full time, providing 24 hours supervision and coordination of the activities of daily living.

ADL's - Activities of Daily Living - A term used that refers to Bathing, Continence, Dressing, Eating, Toileting and Transferring (moving from place to place). The inability to perform one or more of these functions is usually the first indicator that home care services are needed.