Home Care Service Type, Financial and Legal Issues to Consider first.

 

Before making a decision to seek home care services, it is helpful to first understand the medical, legal and financial implications involved. Questions like: How much home care services cost, and what financial options are for payment, needs to be answered. A detailed needs assessment must be conducted to determine the type services needed and their corresponding cost involved. There are legal standards that must also be considered for those who need skilled and nonskilled services. A good planning and getting a reliable advice on these will go a long way to improve the health, safety and quality of life for a senior or a loved one who need such services at home.

What Type of Home Care Service You Need?

The medical and/or physical conditions that a senior or a loved is in typically determines what skilled, nonskilled or a combination of both services will be needed. Chronic health conditions, recovery from an illness, dementia/Alzheimer’s, or even the difficulties in carrying on daily routine’s activities in the normal aging process for a senior to live at home safely are all determining factors. Understanding the different types of home care is the first step in establishing which type of service is right for your loved one.

There are different types of home care services, each with specific benefits.  If you are looking for home care, you can talk with a Care Edition client care manager about all your options to choose the best solution for your specific needs.

•  Personal Care: This home care service includes bathing, dressing, and grooming activities. It also includes assistance with toileting and incontinence care.
•  Homemaker Services: This type of home caregiving task include laundry, grocery shopping, meal preparation, and light housekeeping. Hence, it can help seniors stay in their homes longer by providing necessary support with everyday tasks.
• Companionship Services: This type of home care provides companion care for seniors who may be lonely or isolated. Hence, it can provide social interaction and stimulation and help seniors avoid depression and anxiety.
•  Respite Care: This type of home care provides temporary relief for caregivers who feel overwhelmed or burnt out. Therefore, Home Care of this sort is ideal for caregivers who need a temporary break from their care schedule. It can give caregivers a chance to relax and get support when they need it most. Care can be provided at home, in a healthcare facility, or at an adult day center.
• Home Health Care Services: Home health care is a form of skilled health care that includes specialized registered nurses’ services, such as wound care, physical and occupational therapy, speech-language therapy, and other medically cared services. Home health nurses give and assist with delivering treatment and therapy ordered by your doctor.

Paying for Home Care Services

Although home care is less expensive than institutional care, such as assisted living and nursing homes, affordability can still be very daunting for many families. knowing your options for paying for at-home care is an important step in the process of finding the right home care service.  It’s important to consider different payment options to pay for ongoing care services.

​There are many financial options available when paying for in-home care such as:

• Medicaid, pays for services for patients who are essentially homebound and require skilled services on a part-time basis. They offer a variety of options for eligible clients, ranging from personal care services to skilled pediatric and geriatric nursing care. Contact the Care Edition office for more details.
• Medicare, usually pays for all services for homebound patients needing skilled services on a part-time basis.
• long-term care insurance, VA benefits,
• Private pay or “out of pocket” (cash, check, credit, or trust),

• Workers’ Compensation – Individuals injured at work often choose to recover, rehabilitate, and return to work while receiving the help they need from a registered nurse or certified home health practitioner at home. Care Edition works closely with most worker’s compensation providers.

 

Legal Concerns 

Federal law requires that all individuals receiving home care services be informed of their rights as a patient. The patients should also be aware of the side effects of the treatments and care they receive.  People who legally qualify for Medicare coverage frequently have great difficulty obtaining and affording necessary home care. Medicare coverage is available for people with acute and/or chronic conditions, and for services to improve, or maintain, or slow decline of the individual’s condition.  Individuals seeking home care services must also familiarize themselves with the following legal document:

• Financial Power of Attorney
• Health Care Power of Attorney
• Guardianship Documents
• Living Will
• Last Will and Testament

While seeking an elderly home care or a pediatric home care service can be challenging. The ability to reach out for the right resources from professionals in this field can provide help in a long way. A Care Edition client care manager can be of such help.

 

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