What Is The Difference Between A Private In-Home Nurse & A Home Carer?

What are the differences between a registered nurse and a carer? How do you know which one is the right private home care service provider for you? If you have elderly loved one in need of care at home, it is important to know the difference between a nurse and a care giver and which one will be most suitable for your loved one’s particular care needs. 

In today’s blog article, we will look at the main differences between a carer and a nurse so that you can make an informed decision for your loved one’s care. Keep reading to learn more!

Luxe Care employs Registered Nurses as Care Managers, After Hours Care Coordinators and providers of specialised clinical services. We also employ Carers, both Qualified and Companion as an important part of your care team to provide care support services to elderly clients in their homes. Nurses in Luxe Care manage the delivery of all care services as well as directly provide clinical care that includes medication management, wound care, catheter care, physical assessments and complex care delivery plans. Carers are required to provide some of the elements of support care that have been determined by a nurse responsible for your loved one.  

The Differences Between Registered Nurses, Qualified Carers and Companion Carers.

Registered Nurses

Registered Nurses can be Registered Nurses (RN – Division 1) or Endorsed Enrolled Nurses (EEN – Division 2). RN Division 1, train for a minimum of 3 years at a university before obtaining a Bachelor of Nursing degree. Many bachelor-trained nurses can then go on to specialise by doing graduate certificates in areas like ICU, Operating Theatres, Emergency Department, Midwifery, and Aged Care to name a few.  Sn EEN Division 2 nurse undertake their study at TAFE level for 18 months to obtain a Diploma in Nursing and do further training in medication management that is the Endorsed component of their registration.

A Registered Nurse or and Endorsed Nurse can administer medications as prescribed and directed by a doctor. An Endorsed Enrolled Nurse can administer prescribed medications with oversight by a Registered Nurse. 

After qualifying, both groups of nurses have to be registered with AHPRA (Australian Health Professionals Registration Association). This organisation is responsible for oversight of the registration qualifications of all practising health professionals – nurses, doctors, dentists, physios, OTs, Podiatrists etc. Once they are fully registered and licensed, nurses can practise a wide range of nursing responsibilities in different healthcare settings and hospitals.

Qualified Carers

Qualified Carers have obtained a TAFE qualification to Certificate 3 or 4 in Aged, Community or Disability Care. Some carers can be nursing students studying to obtain a Bachelor’s degree or Diploma in nursing, but do not have a certificate. Qualified Carers can also decide to undertake additional education so they can specialise in areas such as Palliative Care or Dementia.  

Companion Carers

These carers usually do not have any formal training so are not qualified to provide hygiene or manual handling services to clients. They often do have lived experience, having cared for elderly or sick parents or relatives. They provide valuable personal support, house cleaning and travel support for non-complex clients. These carers are an important part of the In-Home Care team and take on duties that provide important support to their clients and free up Qualified Carers and Nurses to provide more complex care and health services. 

What To Look For When Introducing In-Home Care Services

Do registered nurses assess, discuss and implement an agreed (with client and family) plan of care to be delivered by a care team that includes Registered Nurses, Qualified Carers and or Companion Carers?

Do the Registered Nurses keep in regular contact with clients and families to ensure that all the care plans are established to meet the care needs, independence and the well-being of the client? 

Does the In-Home Care service have access to Registered Nurses to provide after-hours support (outside normal business hours) for the services they are providing? This ensures that care services that operate around the clock, always have registered nurse oversight and assistance for the client, family and carers if required. 

Do Registered Nurses coordinate and where appropriate refer their client to Allied Health Professionals (also AHPRA Registered) such as Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Podiatrists, Speech Therapist and Dietitians to list a few.

What are the types of services provided by in-home-based services?

Registered Nurses

Care assessments and physical assessments provide the basis for establishing a plan of care. If there are clinical care needs such as complex medications, catheter management, wound care, specialised pressure area and manual handling care, and complex post-hospital discharge care, these are some of the types of services that Registered Nurses are experts in and will lead to a care delivery team.  

Qualified and Companion Carers

A good plan of care developed by a registered nurse is then carried out by Qualified and Companion Carers. 

If your loved one is assessed as needing care in the following areas, home-based caregivers are trained to provide assistance with everyday tasks that often include:

·      Qualified Carers will typically provide care in the following areas;

·      Bathing, grooming, and dressing

·      Laundry and light housekeeping and assisting clients to maintain independence

·      Meal preparation and dietary support

·      Medication administration or reminders

·      Incontinence care and assistance with toileting

·      Companion Carers are highly supportive and work well in these types of areas;

·      Transportation and accompanying patients to doctor’s appointments

·      Companionship and socializing

·      Meal preparation

·      Cleaning and Laundry

This is not to say that Qualified Carers do not do roles that Companion Carers do, many qualified carers and registered nurses enjoy spending quality time with their clients in and outside the home. Good In-Home Care providers ensure their carers work together with clients and families as a team, providing support for their clients and each other to ensure the best service possible. Contact Luxe Care Today on 1300 674 886

If this is a standard care service that you need for yourself or for your loved one, do not hesitate to contact Luxe Care. Our friendly and helpful staff will be happy to discuss your specific in-home care needs with you. One of our care managers will conduct a free in-home consultation, and if you wish to proceed, they will plan all the care services that meet your specific needs or thos

e of your loved one.

Call  Luxe Care today at 1300 674 886 or leave an enquiry to start your safe and personalised in-home care journey