Nurses change dressings, administer drugs and monitor patients for complications or serious changes in health. They also teach newly discharged hospital patients and their families how to perform skilled nursing procedures so they can eventually perform them themselves. LPNs undergo much shorter training that focuses on mastering routine nursing tasks. Therapists make up another part of the spectrum of home health care providers. There are several different types of therapy.
Physical therapy focuses on enhancing physical movement.
Speech therapy works on communication problems. Occupational therapy helps people overcome problems of daily living at home or at work. Basic home care refers to the kinds of services provided to patients who otherwise might be unable to remain at home because of a disabling health condition. Continued health supervision with an emphasis on health promotion enables these patients to maintain both a stable state of health and relative independence. Homemaker and home health aide services are the least expensive home care service.