Home care is a brilliant, helpful way to provide care for seniors in the comforts of their own homes. This can include people with special needs in addition to elderly care.
Home care is a godsend for people who need extra help but want to maintain their own independence. Many people who qualify for home care are not ready for full-time, full-service care.
One-to-one personalized home caregivers assist with daily routines, hygiene, cleaning, recovering from surgery, disability assistance and a caring companion.
Here is a further breakdown of what home care is comprised of.
What Does Home Care Offer?
Companion Care
This type of care provides emotional support for seniors. The companion can also provide assistance with chores and daily activities, such as running errands or accompanying seniors to their appointments. Preparing meals and communicating with family members also fall under companion care amenities.
Personal Care and Assistance
This type of care provides personal hygiene and care assistance. Personal care workers assist with:
• Oral hygiene
• Bathing and washing
• Dressing
• Lotion and creams application
• Changing incontinence pads
• Using the toilet assistance
Home Health Care
This type of care includes surgery after-care and caregiving services. It can also include IV and nutrition therapy, medicine injections and monitoring health status. Home health care assists with bringing the patient back to good health and regaining independence. It also assists with maintaining the current level of functioning.
What is the Difference Between Home Care and Home Health Care?
Home care is a non-medical care program that focuses on maintaining the daily activities and routines in addition to providing transportation services.
Home health care focuses on provided skilled nursing services. Home health care services are mainly medical-based.
What Services Does Home Care Provide?
Home Care Services
Home care service workers assist with bathing, errands, meal preparation, emotional support, companionship and transportation services.
Home Health Care Services
Home health care service workers provide injections, post-surgery care, medical tests, IVs and formal health monitoring. This type of service is typically medical-based.
How Much Does Home Care Cost?
The median amount of home care costs begins at $24 an hour. It is one of the most affordable forms of senior care available. The costs are around $1,950 per month for up to 20 hours of service.
How Do I Pay for Home Care?
There are multiple ways to pay for home care. These are several of the available options:
- Private Pay
- Long Term Care Insurance
- Medicare
- Medicaid
- Veterans Benefits
- Life Insurance and Life Settlement Funding
- Reverse Mortgage Loans
When is it Time for Home Care?
When a person begins to lose the ability to maintain their independence, it may be time to consider home care. Losing the ability to drive a vehicle, maintain proper hygiene, after a serious illness or surgery or falling behind on daily activities, home care is a great option.
Here are more signs that it may be time for home care:
- Loss of Mobility
- Decline in Grooming, Hygiene
- Physical Decline
- Forgetting Things More Often
- House Is No Longer Clean or Maintained
- Loss of Interest in Hobbies and Activities
What Can I Expect From an In-Home Caregiver?
With an in-home caregiver, you can expect the highest quality of care. In-home caregivers are skilled, caring, trained professionals whose mission is to bring companionship, medical help and healing services to you in the comforts of your own home.
You can expect caregivers to prepare your meals, assist you with proper hygiene, household care, errands, transportation services to appointments and your healthcare, if required.
How Do Find a Home Care Provider?
If you or a loved one are interested in finding the right home care provider in your very own home, please utilize our local home care provider directory. Simply enter your city and zip code to find the right home care assistance for you!
There is a wonderful in-home care provider ready and available to meet your individualized needs. And you will not even have to leave your own home!