HOME CARE
Home care is an umbrella term used to describe companion care, home care (non-medical), and home health care (medical), each of which can be provided at home to make aging easier.
What is Home Care?
There’s no place like home, right? Hey, moving into a retirement community isn’t for everyone; that’s why many people choose to receive care from the comfort of their own home through in-home care agencies.
In-home care refers to three different types of care that can be provided right at home; each one offers different services – depending on your needs – but they all make aging in place that much easier.
TYPES OF IN-HOME CARE OPTIONS
The Raleigh-Durham area has providers who offer customized in-home care plans to meet the unique needs of our senior community.
What Is Companion Care?
Companion care describes the support provided by a paid in-home companion, who helps with various daily tasks and provides social companionship. It’s often an ideal option for seniors who are healthy and independent enough to stay in their own homes, yet would like assistance with housework and chores. It can also provide a break for live-in family or caregivers.
This type of care is different than home care (non-medical), which requires a state license and assists seniors who need help with routine tasks such as bathing, grooming, mobility, and managing medications.
Companion care services and the cost of the agencies that provide them can often be covered by Long Term Care Insurance policies based on an assessment.
What to Expect from
Companion Care
Companion care has both an assistance aspect and a social aspect. Companions help with light daily housekeeping and transportation, tasks that recipients may no longer be able to do as easily (or at all) on their own. They do not provide medical care, although they do often help with medication reminders.
A companion’s duties frequently include:
o Running errands, such as the grocery store or pharmacy
o Transportation to and from doctors’ appointments
o Light housekeeping and cleaning
o Meal preparation
o Laundry
In addition to chores and errands, a companion also provides regular companionship to help prevent social isolation. They may keep clients engaged through various activities such as cards, knitting, chess, and reading.
Cost of Companion Care
Home care agencies typically charge for companion care based on an hourly rate. Some also require a minimum number of weekly or monthly hours, and often require a contract.
Since companion care is a non-medical service, it is not covered by Medicare. Some long-term care insurance policies, however, may partially or fully cover companion care services.
According to Genworth’s Cost of Care Survey, the National Median Costs are as follows:
o Companion Care costs an average of $12.00 to $20.00 an hour.
Typically, companion care is funded by private funds and/or long-term care insurance policies.
What Is Home Care?
Home care caters to individuals who need assistance with routine personal care tasks that they can no longer handle on their own. These are frequently referred to as activities of daily living (ADLs) and generally include bathing, getting dressed, toileting, and grooming.
Many of these services are the same that are administered in an assisted living community, but instead clients receive them in the comfort of their own homes. Home care can be especially helpful for live-in family members or caregivers.
Just as the name indicates, medical care is not provided with standard home care. Home health care is needed for any care that requires a registered nurse, including: IV therapy, medication administration, pain management, medical test, rehab, and wound treatment.
Home care agencies are generally licensed on the state level.
What to Expect from Home Care
If a home care agency provides the care, agency staff will work with the senior and their families to plan and schedule routine assistance. Often, one or more home care aides will be assigned to a specific client, depending on their care needs.
Care may be provided from anywhere between a few hours a week to a daily basis. If the client needs assistance 24 hours a day, however, they may need a live-in home care aide. Many home care agencies offer supplemental care on site at retirement communities, which allows residents to age in place.
One of the biggest benefits of home care is that it allows the client to remain in their own home. It eases the minds of family members, and provides respite to caregivers. Home care can also be more affordable than assisted living, dependent on the client’s needs.
Services
This type of care typically includes assistance with the following:
o Bathing
o Grooming
o Dressing
o Oral hygiene
o Toileting
o Moving around in the home
o Managing and taking medications
Home care may be administered in conjunction with the following types of in-home services:
Companion care, in which a home companion assists with household chores, cooking, errands, and transportation while also providing social engagement.
Home health care, in which a medical professional (like a nurse or physical therapist) assists with medical care in the home.
Is Home Care the Best
Option?
Consider the below statements for yourself, or on behalf of a loved one:
o I want to continue to live where I am, but could use some help
o I need help getting in and out of the tub or shower, or need help bathing
o I need help getting dressed
o I would prefer not to have to rely on my friends or family for everything
o I need help navigating the stairs of my home
o I grab onto furniture for stability as I move around my home
o I feel isolated at home and would love to have someone stop by regularly
o If two or more of the above statements apply, then Home Care may be a good option. If you or your loved one need less help, Companion Care may be a good fit.
o If you or your loved one need more help, Home Health Care may be a good fit.
Cost of Home Care
Home care costs can vary based on location and amount of care. Home care agencies typically charge this care based on an hourly rate. In general, home care costs are lower than residential solutions such as respite care and assisted living; however, this is dependent on the client’s unique needs. For example, a client that needs overnight home care aides may cost more than an assisted living community.
Since this type of care is non-medical, it is not generally covered by Medicare when delivered on its own.
However, some or all costs may be covered when provided in conjunction with doctor-prescribed home health care. Some long-term care insurance may also cover or partially cover non-medical home care services.
Typically, home care is funded by private funds and long-term care insurance policies. Some private health insurance will cover these services in unique situations, something always worth checking into. There are also
financial assistance programs available to families in need; these tend to be available on the state level. Other funding sources can be veterans’ benefits, and in rare cases, Medicaid; availability varies state to state.
What Is Home Health Care?
Home health care, or medical home health care, is licensed medical care provided within a patient’s home. Care typically includes treatments like physical therapy, skilled nursing care, and assistance with medications, and is only provided by licensed medical professionals. It is often the same type of medical care given in communities such as nursing homes.
This type of service is different from home care, in which caregivers only assist with routine daily activities such as bathing, dressing, grooming, and medication reminders.
What to Expect from Home Health Care
With home health care, licensed medical professionals – such as RNs, LPNs, or therapists – come to a patient’s home to administer medical care as prescribed by a doctor. Generally, these medical professionals are assigned by a state-licensed home health care agency.
In order to receive home health care, a doctor’s referral is typically required. From there, the home health care agency will schedule an appointment with the patient (and family, in some cases) to discuss their specific health related needs, and to address any concerns. The agency staff member will also send progress updates to the referring doctor.
Home health care may be administered in conjunction with other types of home services, including:
o Companion care, in which a home companion assists with household chores, cooking, errands, and transportation while also providing social engagement.
o Home Care (non-medical) in which a home care aide assists with personal tasks such as bathing, toileting and grooming.
Services often vary depending on what a patient’s physician has ordered.
Services
Home health care staff typically fulfill the following tasks:
o Monitor food and drink intake
o Check blood pressure, temperature, heart rate, and breathing
o Assist with medication administration
o Monitor pain levels
o Monitor safety levels of the home
o Coordinate the patient’s care with their doctor, caregivers, and even case managers
Aside from medical care, services also include education for the patient and family members on ongoing care, plus diet and nutrition guidance.
This type of care is often implemented following surgery, when a patient is able to leave the hospital but still requires medical attention. The nurse or medical attendant will assist with tasks such as:
o Changing bandages on wounds
o Tending to catheters and IVs
o Giving injections for pain
o Monitoring progress
It may also be utilized for individuals suffering from an illness or living with unstable health, but who still want to remain in their home.
Please note: always ensure that a medical home health care agency requires background checks for their staff.
Is Home Health Care a Good Option?
Consider these statements below for yourself or on behalf of your loved one:
o I want to stay in my home
o I sometimes get my medicines mixed up or can’t remember when to take them
o There are medical issues that require long-term attention
o Medical treatments or procedures are needed on a regular basis
o Health needs to be monitored daily
o Care from a nurse is required regularly
If two or more of these statements apply, then Home Health Care may be a good option. You could also consider the following solutions:
If you or your loved one are in better health than these statements indicate, the following solutions may be a better fit:
Still not sure? Take our Care Assessment to see what care level may be best.
Cost of Home Health Care
Home health care costs can vary based on location, acuity level, and length of care time.
According to Genworth’s Cost of Care Survey, the National Median Costs are as follows:
o Medical Home Care costs an average of $87.50 per visit.
When prescribed by a doctor, care is typically covered by private health insurance policies and Medicare, but often only for a limited amount of time. Long-term care insurance, veterans benefits, and private funds are other sources that cover home health care costs. There are financial assistance programs available to families in need; these tend to be available on the state level.