Nurses practice in a wide range of settings, from hospitals to visiting people in their homes and caring for them in schools to research in pharmaceutical companies.  A home care nurse provides medical assistance to the elderly or anyone that is not able to leave the home. Home care nurse is actually a RN (registered nurse) or a LPN (licensed practical nurse) that provides nursing care in the home. Treatments include,  wound, respiratory, tracheotomy, diabetes, and colostomy care, as well as injections and other medication administration. A home care nurse provides medical related treatments as opposed to daily living care.

As a caregiver, evaluating the needs and knowing the difference between a home care nurse and a home care helper will help you make the best choices when caring for an elderly parent and loved one.