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What is In-Home Care?

In-home care services can provide companionship, supervision and assistance with personal care in the comfort and convenience of a person’s own home–making it possible for older adults to live at home rather than move into a senior living community. As baby boomers advance in years, come to retirement age and start collecting social security, before they know it their adult children find themselves caring for elderly parents. When routine phone calls or even alert systems are not enough, but the elderly don’t want to spend their retirement living outside the home they are familiar and comfortable with, their loved ones can still assure their health and well-being.

What is the difference between in-home care and home health care?

Care in the home may include some combination of skilled health care services and non-medical or assisted living services, but there is a distinction to be made: the term “home health care” is understood to mean licensed nursing care, while “in-home care” or “home care” refers to non-medical care, personal care, custodial care or domiciliary care. These differences are important because they help determine the appropriate level of care provided, which in turn will determine the actual cost of care and also the funding sources available to pay for care.

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What Does an In-Home Caregiving Service Provide?

Before choosing an in-home caregiver that is right for your loved one, learn more about the type of services that are provided using this family guide. With a complete understanding of the benefits of in-home senior care, feel confident in your decision when selecting a service and a professional caregiver that is right for you and your family.

Caring for loved ones as they age plays a vital role in maintaining overall health. Some of the most notable services provided by in-home caregiving services include:

• Mobility Assistance: Helping your loved one move about without struggling or doing so on their own is a top priority for senior in-home caregivers. Caregivers help by ensuring your loved one has the proper medical equipment when walking and moving from one location to the next. Keeping your loved one safe and secure is an essential service provided by in-home senior caregivers.
• Positioning: If your elderly loved one is sick or current restricted to bed rest, avoiding atrophy of the muscles is imperative. Caregivers are well-equipped to help with both transferring and positioning seniors who are unable to do so on their own. The repositioning of seniors while on bedrest or restricted to sitting most hours of the day helps to improve breathing while also minimizing the risk of developing bedsores or experiencing extreme muscle atrophy. Muscle atrophy occurs when there is little to no movement of the muscles for an extended period of time. Caregivers help to prevent additional health issues from arising by scheduled positioning and transferring services.
• Incontinence and Toilet Care: Maintaining personal hygiene is essential for seniors who are in need of in-home care. Senior caregivers are experienced with cleaning and assisting with all bathroom necessities to prevent possible infections, unpleasant odors, and other bowel-related health issues such as incontinence. Provide your senior loved one with the respect and dignity they deserve by working together with an in-home care provider.
• Hygiene and Grooming Services: When loved one age, there is a much higher risk of infection or potentially fatal injuries after suffering a fall. If your loved one is not capable of showering or bathing on their own, in-home caregivers assist with the entire process. Caregivers provide a full bathing and hygiene service which includes shampooing, shaving, and managing hairstyles to offer seniors dignity and confidence with each new day.
• Diet and Nutrition: Healthy and balanced meals are a necessary part of life at any age. Experienced senior caregivers provide an array of nutrition options to help maintain the appetite of your loved one while in their care. Meals are freshly prepared and provided for seniors based on their nutritional needs and overall preferences. If your loved one has a special diet it is also possible to work with caregivers who will create a specialized meal plan that is optimal for their health.
• Transportation: In some cases, transportation services are also available with in-home senior caregivers. Transporting seniors to and from doctor appointments along with various shops can help boost their quality of life while providing them with a sense of independence, even if they are no longer capable of driving themselves.
• Housekeeping: Light housekeeping is available with in-home senior caregiving services in many instances. If your loved one is no longer able to keep up with simple chores around the house, caregivers are available to assist with the process.
• Laundry Services: Caregivers are familiar with handling laundry and help to manage the wardrobe and cleanliness of your loved one’s everyday wear. Services range from traditional washing and drying to ironing and hanging clothing up in closets or folding them to put away in drawers.
• Conversation and Companionship: Social isolation is one of the biggest downfalls of living alone as a senior, especially as family and friends continue to move or pass away. Provide comfort for your loved one with in-home senior caregivers along with the necessary companionship to steer clear of depression and feelings of total isolation.
• Errands: If your loved one no longer has family or friends nearby to help with picking up prescription medications, meals, or groceries, senior caregivers can assist. Running errands provides your loved one with all of their everyday necessities when they no longer have the ability to transport themselves to the store.
• Medication Assistance: Medication reminders are extremely vital for seniors who are required to take multiple prescription medications or vitamins each day. In-home senior caregivers remind their clients when it is time to take medications while ensuring their medications are being taken properly and on a regular basis for optimal health.

Helping you find the right care

When you are searching for senior care services for a loved one in your life, it is important to understand the cost of care and which options you have available to finance the services you require. With this senior family guide, discover the necessary steps to take to provide your elderly loved one with the best care while sticking to any budget you have set in place.

It is always important to speak with a representative of the in-home care providers you are most interested in before making a decision to ensure you have a payment option and solution that is viable for you and your family. Some of the most common ways to pay for senior in-home care include:

• Savings and earned income are two of the most common ways to pay for in-home care provided to seniors.
• Medicaid: In some cases, it is possible to pay for portions of in-home care using Medicaid depending on your loved one’s age and the type of in-home care they require.
• Long-Term Care Insurance: Although long-term care insurance does not always cover the total costs of in-home care, seniors are able to use a portion of the coverage to help with expenses. Converting long-term care insurance into a loan is another solution that is often used by family members who wish to help support the monthly cost of in-home care for their loved ones.
• Veterans’ Aid and Attendance Benefit: The Veterans’ Aid and Attendance Benefit is available to all veterans who qualify. If your loved one has served at least 90 days in the military with one day of active duty during wartime, he or she is likely to qualify for the Veterans’ Aid and Attendance Benefit.

Financial Needs & Assistance

Once you determine the level of care you want or need, it’s time to decide how you’re going to pay for it. Do you think you may be able to qualify as a part of a special interest or special needs group? Or, do you have any special needs that potentially authorize certain services for you?

Should you qualify to be part of one of these programs, they can help you pay for the cost and level of service you receive.

Financial Needs & Assistance

Once you determine the level of care you want or need, it’s time to decide how you’re going to pay for it. Do you think you may be able to qualify as a part of a special interest or special needs group? Or, do you have any special needs that potentially authorize certain services for you?

Should you qualify to be part of one of these programs, they can help you pay for the cost and level of service you receive.

More Safe & Secure

Most in-home care agencies provide thorough background checks and screening assessments. Your privacy and safety – are their main priority. We can help you find the right agency for you or your loved one.

In-Home Care…better than room service.