In Home Care

In Home Care

What are In-Home Care Agencies?
In-home care agencies are among the most requested agencies in our society today. Over the last decade the emergence of in-home care has created a new service industry meeting an ever growing demand. In-home care refers to services that help elder/seniors stay in their home if they have a short or long term disability, need help to recuperate from a surgery, injury, and chronic illness or have difficulty caring for themselves simply due to the aging process.

In-home care agencies render a range of medical care needs, companionship, supervision and personal care services in the comfort and convenience of a person's own home. This eliminates the need for elder/seniors to move into a facility. In-home care from a professional is appropriate whenever a person prefers to stay at home but needs ongoing care that cannot easily or effectively be provided solely by family and friends. Call us to learn more about in-home care!

 

In-Home Care Non-Medical Care vs. Medical
Most elderly seniors want to age independently at home and not burden their family. In-home care from a professional makes that possible. Care in the home may include some combination of skilled health care services and non-medical or assisted living services. The phrases, In-Home Care, Home Care and Home Health Care have been used in the past interchangeably regardless of whether the person requires skilled nursing care or not.

Today, however, there is growing understanding that "home health care" means skilled nursing care and that "in-home care" means non-medical care, personal care, custodial care or private duty home care. These differences are important because they help determine the appropriate level of care provided, which in-turn will determine the actual cost of care and also the funding sources available.

 

In-Home Care Non-Medical ServicesHourly care, overnight care, 24-hour awake, live-in care and respite care.
Non-medical care services are the most basic types of living most people take for granted.
Personal Care, Companionship and Supervision.

Hospital-to-home, post-rehab care, Veteran’s assistance, specialized care, Alzheimer’s care, dementia care, Parkinson’s care, cancer care, hospice Support, post-plastic surgery, after childbirth as well as help in the home with the tasks of daily living such as meal preparation, medication reminders, laundry, pet care, light housekeeping, errands, shopping, and transportation.

A common term used is Activities of daily living (ADL) referring to the six specific activities that reflect an individual's capacity for self-care. Listed are examples of each ADL, to get a better understanding.

Bathing: getting into a tub or shower getting out of a tub or shower washing your body in a tub, shower or by sponge bath washing your hair in a tub, shower or sink Dressing: putting on item of clothing, braces, fasteners or artificial limbs taking off item of clothing, braces, fasteners or artificial limbs Transferring: getting into a bed, chair or wheelchair getting out of a bed, chair or wheelchair

Toileting, Bathroom associated Personal Hygiene: getting to and from the toilet getting on and off the toilet opening the tooth paste and placing on tooth brush closing the tooth past brushing teeth Continence: maintaining control of bowel and bladder function including caring for catheter or colostomy bag Eating: feeding yourself by getting food into your mouth from a container use of utensils when appropriate, silverware

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If you or your loved one requires assistance from another person to complete any one of these activities, you will require In-home care.  Contact Americas Top Assisted Living Resources to help you create a plan of care.

 

Cost of In-Home Care Services
Costs for in-home care services vary depending on many factors, including what services are being provided, where you live, and whether the expenses qualify for Medicare or private insurance coverage.

Medicare covers certain in-home medical health care services when the person needing care meets eligibility criteria (which includes being home-bound and requiring the services of a skilled professional), and if the services are considered reasonable and necessary for treatment.

Some states have programs for seniors with limited resources and assets, which rather than going through a home health care agency allow seniors (or their representatives) to pay a person of their choosing, including family members, for in-home services. Such programs are often called "participant-directed services" or "cash and counseling," although similar services go by different names depending on location.

If there is no program available in your state you'll want to select a qualified In-Home Care Agency that will provide the services you need at the cost you can afford. Most agencies charge by the hour however, there are In-Home Care Agencies that work on a contract basis.