What a home care aide can and can't do in Delaware

Before a caregiver comes into your parent's home, it helps to know exactly what they'll do. Here's what a home care aide does in Delaware, where the line is, and what to do when your loved one needs more.

What does a home care aide do?

A home care aide helps with the everyday tasks that have gotten hard. In Delaware, licensed home care agencies provide this as "personal assistance services." It covers help with daily living, companionship, and household tasks. It doesn't require a nurse's skills or a doctor's order.

Personal care

• Bathing, showering, and washing hair
• Dressing and grooming
• Using the bathroom, and incontinence care
• Help getting in and out of bed or a chair, and walking safely around the house

Around the house

• Making meals and helping at mealtime
• Light housekeeping, like dishes, laundry, and tidying
• Keeping walkways clear to prevent falls

Company and daily life

• Conversation, cards, puzzles, and walks
• Help keeping up with appointments and the day's routine
• Medication reminders
• Noticing changes and telling the family

See personal care and companion care for more on each.

Can a home care aide give medication?

Our caregivers give medication reminders. They tell your loved one when it's time for a dose, and let the family know if a dose seems to be missed. They don't give the medicine themselves.

If your loved one needs someone to give medicine, ask their doctor about a home health nurse, or have a family member handle doses.

What tasks need a nurse instead?

Some care needs a licensed nurse or therapist. A home health agency provides it when a doctor orders it. That includes:

• Wound care and dressing changes
• Injections, IVs, and tube feedings
• Checking and managing medical equipment
• Physical, occupational, or speech therapy
• Catheter and ostomy care
• Prescription creams, and trimming toenails

Delaware's rule for home care agencies lists most of these as outside an aide's job.

Many families use both: home health visits for medical care, and a home care aide for the rest of the day. Read home care vs. home health for the full difference.

Are there limits on lifting and moving someone?

Yes. Delaware's rule for home care agencies says aides can help with transfers only when the person can help with the move themselves. Aides can't use transfer boards or mechanical lifts.

In practice, our caregivers steady and guide your loved one from the bed to a chair, or into the shower, and help them walk safely. They do minor lifting only. If your loved one can't bear any weight, tell us during the consultation. We'll be honest about whether home care is the right fit, or what else you'll need.

What about driving, money, and errands?

Our caregivers don't drive clients in their own cars. They can help plan around appointments and keep the day on track.

Caregivers also don't handle your loved one's money. That means no banking, no paying bills, and no using their cards. Keeping money with the family protects everyone.

How do you know if your parent needs more than home care?

Home care may not be enough by itself when your loved one:

• Needs nursing tasks several times a day
• Can't help at all with moving, and needs a lift
• Needs supervision every hour of the day and night, and the family can't cover the gaps

That doesn't always mean a move. It may mean adding home health, more hours, or 24-hour care. Read home care vs. assisted living vs. nursing home to compare options.

How Reliable Aid helps

We're a licensed Delaware home care agency. Every caregiver is screened before the first visit, and if your caregiver can't make it, we send a backup. During the free consultation, we go over exactly what your loved one needs and what a caregiver will do on each visit.

Call (302) 689-3240, or see all home care services.