Three Interesting Facts About Home Care in Ghana

Home caregivers providing care globally, population aging is occurring at a period when the extended family support system which has been a haven for the Ghanaian aged is fast eroding because of social changes. The increasingly failing domiciliary eldercare has in the last five years contributed to the gradual growth of care homes in Ghana. The majority of old peoples and some middle-aged requires much attention of care, companionship, a solution to health needs, and assistance in the basic activity of daily living. In addressing these multiple needs, home Care both in-home care and facility-based home care has been the fall option for providing our elderly with the best of care this century. In this article, I will share with you three (3) interesting facts about home care in Ghana.

1. Home care is mainly provided by professional Nurses

In Ghana, home care service is mainly provided by professional nurses and nurse assistants and partly by trained home caregivers. If you are looking for a caregiver to assist you or care for your loved one at home in Ghana, then there is a high chance it is going to be a professional nurse. Registered nurses usually take up home care duties whiles they wait for employment from the government, the biggest health workforce employer in Ghana. Most clients requiring long-term care usually face the challenges of periodic changeover of caregivers. However, there are home care agencies like AnsMed Care and Nursing Service that provide certified home care training to individuals to be able to provide long-term care to clients.

2. Payment of Home Care is mainly out of pocket

In some high-income countries, there is variable funding for social care; for example, Germany has a special tax to help fund eldercare. In the United Kingdom (UK), social care for patients in institutions is means tested. In Ghana, an examination of who funds eldercare or home care services shows that about 99% of payments are from personal sources e.g.: Out of pocket payments. This makes the delivery of care very easy, and payment negotiated and affordable.

3. In-Home Care is more popular than Facility-Based Care

In Ghana, whiles some of our elderlies are fine with transitioning to a nursing home or care facility when they are no longer able to fully care for themselves and relieve stress from other family members, others prefer to remain in the comfort and familiarity of their homes. In-home care services allow elders to maintain a sense of independence whiles having the ability to receive daily assistance from qualified caregivers. In-home care service is more popular than facility-based home care services. It has quickly become one of the most preferred options by aging adults who want the convenience of professional care without leaving their homes.