Senior man in home careIn-Home Care is becoming one of the most popular senior care options among seniors today. In-Home care allows seniors to stay in the privacy and comfort of their homes while getting customized senior care services.

Most seniors don’t like the idea of having to go to a nursing home or assisted living facility simply because they are scared to lose their independence and be separated from their family

 

In This In-Home Care Article

What Is In-Home Care
Planning for In-Home Care
Getting In-Home Care Assistance

 

What Is In-Home Care?

In-Home Care involves a network of senior care service providers who deliver personal care and maintenance in the senior’s home. In-home care is a senior care option for seniors who need some medical help or assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) including dressing, eating, toileting, bathing and minor household chores, but still have the capability of doing many things for themselves.

Seniors who need extensive medical help may be able to choose in-home care over a nursing home or assisted living, since they can get Medicare coverage for legitimate medical expenses incurred while receiving in-home care. Paying for in-home care or other in-home care services may be quite expensive, if not covered by Medicare, but with the help of family members, in-home care can be affordable.

In-home care is a legitimate option for seniors who have specific health problems, or who are having difficulty performing some of their daily routines. At some point, you may feel that moving to assisted living or a nursing home is necessary. But in the meantime, in-home care can be a way to help elderly people maintain most of their independence and self-sufficiency, for at least a few more years.

 

Planning for In-Home Care

If you believe that in-home care is right for you or your aging relative, the first step is to decide on who will provide the in-home care service. Will the caregiver be a family member, a friend or do you prefer to hire a professional caregiver, nurse or therapists to come in and help you or your aging relative? Finding the right caregiver that will provide in-home care services is key.

Before making any decisions related to in-home care, it would be helpful to familiarize yourself about Medicare benefits for budgeting purposes. It is important to know what type of services Medicare will cover and what type of services will not be covered. Please note that Medicare will only pay for medical supplies and direct medical assistance for in-home care. To get more information on in-home care services that will be covered by Medicare, visit medicare.gov.

If the in home care service will not be covered by Medicare, the most affordable way would be for Family members to provide home care, but of course someone must be willing and able to do it. One of the best ways to make in-home care feasible and practical is to create a network of people who can all participate in the home care plan developed for a particular senior. Spreading the responsibility among family members and friends will keep anyone from being overburdened. It can also make a senior feel good and special, knowing that so many people are willing to take care of him or her by providing in-home care assistance.

One further step that can make home care a viable option is to take advantage of the many community services that are available to help elderly people in most cities. This can include help with transportation, free meals delivered to the home, and low-cost classes or opportunities for socializing at local senior centers. Anything that makes things easier for seniors or their caregivers should be considered, and any help that can be obtained is likely to make home care a more feasible option for everyone involved.

You can contact your local Administration on Aging to find local activities and programs for seniors.

 

Getting In-Home Care Assistance

If you’re wondering whether In-Home Care makes sense, then consider this:

 

It’s Convenient
Companies providing In-Home Care are springing up all across the country to meet the needs of the huge numbers of aging individuals so finding a reputable company is easy. When you meet with the contracted In-Home Care service provider, together you’ll work out a visitation schedule and a list of duties the provider will perform. That ensures the care you receive is personalized to meet your exact needs as well as your schedule.

 

It’s Comfortable
Because the In-Home Care provider comes to your home, you’re able to continue living independently, in familiar surroundings. It doesn’t matter whether you’re feeling ill or well, there’s something comforting about being in your home. An added benefit is that your In-Home Care service provider gives you something your life may be lacking – companionship. That’s right. You can have someone taking care of your home, your personal care and your need for company. In additon, there are many organizations that offer additional in-home services such as Medical Alert System – which provides medical alert systems to seniors and disabled persons with an aim to promote independent living.

 

It’s Cost-Effective
Dollar for dollar, you get real value when you contract the services of an In-Home Care provider. You have someone on whom you can rely to handle all the tedious tasks involved with living on your own. You won’t have to contract separately with an errand service, a personal chef, a housekeeper, a nutritionist, and someone to help you get out and about. Think of all the time you’ll save and all the money, too.

 

It’s Secure
With so many In-Home Care companies clamoring for your business and all making the same promises, how do you know if the company will actually live up to its claims? More importantly, how will you know which ones are honest? It’s sad but true that for as many reputable companies there are serving the elderly, there’s that many more that have been set up as a front to pull off the latest scam. Before contacting an In-Home Care company, first check to see if it’s insured, licensed and bonded. That’s the best way you have of protecting yourself and your home.

 

It’s Peace of Mind
Many children of aging parents choose In-Home Care because it gives them peace of mind. With their own lives to live, oftentimes in completely different states, many adult children can’t regularly pop-in to check on their parents and tend to their needs. With an In-Home Care service provider doing the checking, families are regularly updated as to the well-being of their parents. That alone is worth the price!

 

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