What type of elder care can be provided in a patient's home?

Custodial care encompasses assistance with daily living activities and personal care that may be needed by elderly individuals in their own homes. This type of care focuses on non-medical support, such as help with bathing, dressing, meal preparation, and medication reminders, which are essential for many seniors who may struggle to perform these tasks independently due to health conditions or mobility issues.

In contrast, while skilled nursing care can be provided in the home, it is typically reserved for patients requiring more complex medical treatment or rehabilitation services, such as wound care or physical therapy. Medical care, in a broader sense, can include both custodial and skilled services, but the term may imply a heavier focus on health services rather than personal care support. Respite care, though valuable, specifically refers to temporary relief for primary caregivers and does not imply continuous care within the home for the elderly. Therefore, custodial care is the most accurate description of the type of elder care that can be consistently provided in a patient's home setting, addressing essential daily needs and supporting independent living as much as possible.