Sunday, January 4, 2015

Understanding In-Home Care

By Agatha Lebouef


One of the perks of adulthood is being able to live your life the way you choose, and the loss of independence that sometimes occurs during our later years can be extremely frustrating. While you might think that you need to leave your home and move into some type of eldercare facility, it is possible that you can stay at home and have assistance come to you. Here is some information about in-home eldercare.

There are two types of in-home care, and one might be covered by some types of insurance and the other isn't covered. In-home health care is sometimes covered by insurance, and this simply means that a licensed medical professional is providing health care in your home. This might be needed for a person who is suffering from a disease such as ALS, end-stage cancer or someone who has had a stroke. If the person is terminally ill, this might be referred to as home hospice care. Sometimes in-home health care includes rehabilitation services as well as medical care.

However, sometimes your health is fairly good and the medical needs you have are solely related to making sure that you take your medicines on schedule. If you need help with daily tasks such as dressing, bathing and grooming, as well as eating proper meals and taking medicines, non-medical in-home care can be required. You also probably would benefit from having someone come in and clean your house and do your laundry. This might all be combined into one service or one caregiver, but it also might be two separate services.

There are several good reasons to consider hiring someone to provide care in your house. Obviously the biggest reason is that you can stay in your home where you are comfortable and happy. In-home services generally aren't as expensive as moving into a nursing home or assisted living community, so it can be much easier on your budget to stay at home. Family members or your spouse may be worried about you, especially if work or other commitments make it impossible to provide you with constant care and assistance. Hiring a caregiver can make all of your lives much easier and less stressful.

Of course, you have to find that special person or service that truly fits your needs. There are companies, such as CarePlacement.com, that match people to caregivers or to different care options. After filling out a detailed application, they can find a list of caregivers that can provide the services you need at a cost that you can afford. Once you have a list, you can interview candidates and find someone with whom you have a good rapport.

Eventually, you might opt for a different type of eldercare. Sometimes an assisted living community can be a good option, especially if your budget permits. Perhaps you might consider living in a nursing home, which also is called a skilled nursing facility. These are options for people who potentially need 24-hour medical care or who do not have the budget one needs to live at an assisted living facility. Board and care homes are another option for those working with a tighter budget. All of these options provide some socialization and often a variety of activities, which might be a good choice if you are feeling a bit shut-in at your private home.




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