2000 Volume 4 Issue 1 Pages 24-30
Purpose: There are two types of around-the-clock in-home care systems. One is single type of home help service and the other is combination type of nursing and home help service. The latter enables nurses to visit not only in the daytime, but also in the early morning, evening and nighttime, and that home helpers work closely with nurses. The current situation and differences between both types of home help were investigated.
Method: Comparison between the characteristics of users of each type of home help service in the Tokyo Metropolitan area was conducted.
Results and discussion: Users of single type of home help service were more independent and living alone compared to those of combination type. The incidence rate of death at home was no different between the both groups. However deaths at home were included int he care plan of home help service in the combination type, but in the single type of home help service deaths at home were caused by suffocation or aspiration unexpectedly.
Conclusion: Around-the-clock nurses’ visits enabled patients in the terminal stage to die at home. Around-the-clock home help service should be provided as the combination type of nursing and home help service in order to be more responsible for patients who need medical care and terminal care int he home as well as to provided as to prevent deterioration of patients.
