Home Health Care at Saudi Arabia - Literature review Example

The paper "Home Health Care at Saudi Arabia" is a good example of a literature review on nursing. Swanson and Nies (1997) define home health care (HHC) as a comprehensive and comfortable alternative to nursing homes. The main aim of HHC is to minimize the effects of illness and disabilities, maximize the level of autonomy, and restore, maintain, and promote the wellbeing of patients. HHC is respected by healthcare providers to bridge the existing gap of high hospitalization demands to the already strained health infrastructures both in Saudi Arabia and globally. It addresses a significant disease burden, especially among the elderly population. The elderly group has the highest need for HHC services. In the past couple of years, according to Hafez, Bagchi, and Mahaini (2000), the number of elderly has increased remarkably across the globe. The population growth rate among the aged above 60 years old continues to grow annually. It is estimated that, by the year 2025, our planet will host approximately 1.2 billion people aged above 60 years. This growth is estimated to rise further by the year 2050 to a mind-boggling 1.9 billion (World population prospects, 2003). Currently, in Saudi Arabia, the elderly community reaches 3.5% of the global elderly population (Saudi Arabian population census, 2004).

The elderly are at risk for chronic diseases since their immune system is often compromised by decay. As the population increases, the risk for a greater burden increases. Chronic diseases are directly related to psychological, social, and medical problems. These health issues reduce the ability for senior people to carry out any productive activity in the community, says Resnick (1999). Following the increased health care needs of aging patients, the HHC program has been revised to ensure it deploys only qualified HHC personnel. Having such personnel will ensure that patients and caregivers alike get both basic and in-depth medical services in a timely manner (WHO, 2011).

HHC has been the subject of limited research in Saudi Arabia. The purpose of this review is to investigate the potential effectiveness of the HHC system in Saudi Arabia. Where necessary, the review references sources from Saudi Arabian literature. This paper will, additionally, give insights on future HHC direction and research recommendations.

• Home health care background

According to Long (2002), the term home care organization is used to refer to hospices and home health agencies. Home health agencies offer healthcare services within the home vicinity. The services include therapy, personal care, and skilled nursing to eligible beneficiaries. Hospices, on the other hand, offer spiritual service, emotional, psychosocial and palliative care to both the families of/ and the terminally ill. Madigan and Curet (2006) add that HHC is a well-coordinated care delivery program carried by a team of health personnel in the homes of the patient.