end of life care at home

In the State of Florida an aide can only change a non sterile bandage. If a patient asks for assistance and the doctor's order requires a sterile dressing than this is considered skilled nursing care and requires both a script from a physician and an LPN or higher. Only non sterile applications apply to the scope of a home health aide's or a certified nursing assistant's license.

Light housekeeping is designed for a caregiver to maintain the cleanliness and walking path of the area in the home for their patient. Light housekeeping is wiping down the kitchen countertop after preparing a lunch and wiping down the shower door. Light housekeeping does not mean heavy scrubbing, moving furniture or cleaning out cupboards.