Domiciliary care for elderly persons
In Germany most of the people in need of care receive services at home. Those providing care at home usually do not have practical experience in health care. However, health care at home can be learned. Community care services conduct professional training courses. For rehabilitation, patient training is provided by hospital staff. The necessary knowledge can also be obtained by reading any relevant literature.
Health care can be divided into three areas:
• Basic care
• Treatment
• Preventive measures
Basic care covers body care and hygiene, a healthy and balanced diet, assistance for excretion at regular intervals and sufficient physical movement.
Treatment includes activities which help support the work of physicians:
• Temperature, pulse and blood pressure checks
• Monitoring any drug therapies
• Application of compresses
• Massage using proper oils etc.
Proper dressing changes, administration of injections, placement of a bladder catheter etc. are usually the physician’s or nurse’s job. If the situation requires it, this can also be learned by laypersons.
Problems such as ulcers, thromboses or pneumonia can be avoided with the help of preventive care.
