In today’s society, an increased number of older adults are opting to live independently on their own as opposed to having some form of senior care. People prefer to stay in the homes they have lived in before, so that they may be in a familiar and comforting setting.
While this decision is understandable, the increase of seniors staying at home can prove to be difficult. If you find yourself in need of assistance or support, who is going to provide this? Some older adults may not require full-time care but will still need access to some form of assistance. This has caused at-home care to increase in popularity, replacing the customary form of senior care.
At-home part time care is optimal for older adults that are still capable of operating on a level of independence. Regardless of whether you require assistance with small tasks or require a full-time level of care, in-home assistance may be the best option for you. To learn more about at-home care, conduct a search online.
What Exactly is At Home Care?
At-home care, also known as home care, is provided assistance on a regular basis that occurs in the client’s homestead. You have the ability to choose the level of care you receive and how often it occurs. A home care aide will then visit your home to help you.
At-home care provides a long list of advantages. An aide may assist with tasks such as meal preparation, mobility, or even help with managing your financials. Some other forms of home care include:
- Transportation
- Help with personal hygiene activities (dressing, washing, etc.)
- Cleaning
- Companionship
- Management of finances
It is important to note that in-home care aides do not provide medical assistance or treatments. Home care professionals are there to assist you but are not licensed to provide medical care. They may offer you support in taking your medications but would be unable to prescribe them.
In-home care can provide many different benefits. No matter the activity you require assistance with, a home care professional can provide the support you need.
Categories
At-home care may consist of several different activities, and there are different categories of senior care available to you. The types of senior care vary in general terms as well as the specifics of what each one may provide. The list below includes the categories of at-home care.
Companion Care
For older adults who may still function with a high level of independence, companion care is an excellent option. Companion care is optimal for those who may have difficulty coping with living alone. It is more focused on social aspects rather than activity-based assistance.
With companion care, a home care professional will provide the necessary social support. They may spend time with you doing different activities, such as reading or playing board games. Companion care may also provide assistance with needed transportation from place to place.
Personal Care
For seniors who are slightly more challenged, personal care is an excellent option. Personal care includes more assistance and support with small everyday activities. This might include needs such as food shopping, mobility, or personal hygiene. A home care professional will visit your residence to aide older adults as they conduct their typical lifestyle.
Personal care providers are unable to offer medical services, but they may assist you with taking medications. This type of support is ideal for seniors who need minimal to medium assistance.
Home Health Care
Home health care is a provided assistance that is more specific. These types of in-home workers are licensed to provide you with medical services, in addition to personal care or social support. They may assist you with injury recovery, physical therapy, or injections. Home health care may be prescribed to you by a doctor.
Home health care is a far less intense health assistance compared with nursing care. Professional home health care aides may administer certain forms of assistance with medical care, but they often lack the specific certifications and vetting that a skilled nurse would have. It is important to keep this in mind when choosing the level of care you might require.
Financing Care
A large challenge that many senior adults struggle with regarding home care is the financials of it. It is common knowledge that older adult assistance is often very costly. The level of care you require may cause the price to increase.
Most care provided in residencies for seniors is paid out of pocket, a common form of private pay. One way to cover the costs of care is to utilize retirement savings. It may also be an option to offset the cost using an insurance plan that can offer benefits. Funds may also be received through different kinds of loans.
The following are the best payment alternatives for in-home care:
Government Support
The federal government provides a certain amount of funding for older adult assistance. Using the Eldercare Locator database provided by the government, you may contact different offices to learn about the care options that are available within your area. Some of these services may be covered by Medicaid or Medicare plans.
Investigate your Medicare plan to learn whether in-home care is a covered benefit. The original Medicare plan may cover the entire cost for you if support is medically prescribed. It is important to note that this is offer is often restricted for older adults who are unable to leave their homes independently. Medicare Advantage plans will vary and may offer increased benefits.
Medicaid plans may also cover some of the costs for in-home care. To be eligible for all the benefits listed above, you must first qualify for the plans themselves.
Military Veteran Programs
If you have served time in the military or armed services, there may be programs specialized for you to help with the cost of healthcare. Some of these programs are the Aid and Attendance benefits, Housebound benefits, and Homemaker and Home Health Aide Care. Inquire with the Veteran office in your area for more information.
Medicare and Medicaid
Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) is a branch of the Medicare and Medicaid plans. It was created to decrease the number of seniors being forced to live in nursing homes to receive the care they require. To receive PACE benefits, it is necessary to complete an application to determine whether the program will accept you.
Conducting a search online will help you uncover the types of home care that are available to you. Comparing the choices you have access to has never been easier.
