Caring For Those Who Wish To Age In Place

The majority of older adults wish to stay in their current home as they age. In fact, one in three individuals in the aging population feel that they might be frightened of aging somewhere other than their current home. Their home provides both physical and emotional comfort and familiarity, and many believe that they will stay healthier for longer if they are able to age in place.

It is not always possible for a family caregiver to take care of their mom, dad, or partner. Even in situations where there is a family caregiver, these individuals cannot provide around-the-clock care without suffering from caregiver burnout. In home, caregivers can provide respite care or even full-time care in the event that family members are unable to do so.

There are two ways to hire an in home caregiver. The first option is to hire an independent caregiver. While, in some cases, these individuals may be less expensive, it also means that you will need to handle the business side of the relationship. When you hire an independent caregiver, they are considered to be your employee. That means you will need to have an employee contact, pay their wages directly to them, and handle all related taxes.

Hiring a company that provides in home caregivers, on the other hand, makes things easier. Although their fees could be slightly higher, the senior care offices handle the logistics behind employing the caregiver for their clients.

 

What is Home Instead Senior Care?

Paul and Lori Hogan founded Home Instead Senior Care in 1994. The organization was born from the need for in home care for the couple’s aging relative. Although the Hogan’s had plenty of family members who could provide caregiving to their grandmother, the family still struggled to fully meet her needs.

The organization focuses on providing in home care for individuals who prefer to age in place and has grown exponentially since it was founded. Today they have over 1,000 offices in 14 countries – 600 of those being in the United States. Home Instead Senior Care is a franchise business, and each office is independently owned and run with headquarters in Ohaha, Nebraska.

Each caregiver is thoroughly screened and trained to provide high-quality in home care for aging adults. Home Instead Senior Care agencies run background checks on their caregivers. Some agencies also require their caregivers to pass a drug screen before they are employed.

Caregivers are trained to provide essential caregiving services. They also receive specialized training to assist persons with Alzheimer’s, dementia, or who require hospice services in their homes. Caregivers also need to continuously measure up to Home Instead’s quality assurance program.

More than that, Home Instead Senior Care has a 24/7 support line for their caregivers. This toll-free line gives caregivers access to trained counselors that can assist them through physical, emotional, and mental difficulties. This support lowers the risk of caregiver burnout, ensuring that each caregiver is in the space where they can provide your loved one with the highest quality of care.

While all of Home Instead Senior care’s caregivers are qualified and experienced to take care of your loved one, they are not necessarily registered nurses. This is because some in home care services do not require caregivers to provide medical assistance. In some cases, however, your loved one may need someone to administer medication, help with rehabilitation, or administer IV’s. In this case, a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or licensed vocational nurse will be selected to provide the in home caregiving services.

 

What services do Home Instead provide?

The services offered by each Home Instead Senior Care agency could vary slightly. However, most offer in home caregiving services ranging from a few hours a week to 24-hour care.

Home Instead Senior Care’s transportation services can be used to safely transport your loved one to and from their commitments. This service can drive care recipients to social engagements, community events, doctor’s appointments, the barber or hairdresser, and to run errands.

Meal Prep and home helpers plan and prepare nutritious meals and do light housekeeping. This could include tidying up, making beds, doing laundry, washing dishes, and dusting or vacuuming.

Companionship caregivers can provide your loved one with social support. They can participate in hobbies or simply have a chat over a cup of tea. Having someone around who you can talk to could help your loved one feel less isolated and lonely.

Home Instead’s personal care services assist aging adults in maintaining their independence. These caregivers help care recipients with daily activities like grooming, bathing, dressing, and eating. They can also provide medication reminders, although they may not always be qualified to administer medication.

Nurse directed care is available for individuals with more advanced medical needs. It involves medication management, wound care, and assistance with monitoring chronic medical conditions like diabetes.

Hospice support can be provided to persons who require end of life care. This enables family members to enjoy the time they have with their loved one while the caregiver takes care of their physical, mental, and often emotional needs.

Home Instead offers specialized care for chronic illnesses. The organization can assist with the following:

  • Parkinson’s support.
  • Arthritis care.
  • Diabetes care.
  • Cancer support.
  • Weight-related issues support.
  • Heart disease and stroke support.

Home Instead Senior Care caregivers are specially equipped to assist persons with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. The in-house Gerontologist and Caregiver Advocate, Lakelyn Hogan, is dedicated to developing and implementing science-based in home Alzheimer’s care programs. These programs focus on preserving dignity and honoring the person’s life before dementia. The programs also work to promote safety in the home and ease cognitive and behavioral symptoms related to dementia.

The Home Instead CAREGivers are trained using the Person-Centered Care Training for Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias program. This program was developed by Home Instead and is recognized by the Alzheimer’s Association. The program covers the following topics:

  • Alzheimer’s and dementia.
  • Person-centered care.
  • Assessment and care planning.
  • Activities of daily living.
  • Behaviors and communication.

CAREGivers work on building genuine relationships with the persons in their care. They learn about the person’s life history and use positive reinforcement and encouragement throughout their caregiving services.

More than that, CAREGivers provide nutritious meals, assist with regular bathing and keep the home clean and safe. They also create and maintain a stable routine, keep your loved one engaged in meaningful activities and help them to stay connected with persons in their social circles.

 

What does Home Instead offer that makes them different from competitors?

Home Instead is dedicated to keeping care personal. They believe that nothing is more important than the human touch. However, the organization has harnessed technology to provide an even higher level of care.

Virtual care consults make setting up care easy and convenient, even if you live far away from your loved one. The Family care Portal allows family members to manage and track the care that their loved one receives. That means you can ensure your loved one receives the best care – and stay updated – even if you are unable to visit regularly.

Home care tablets powered by GrandPad can enhance virtual visits with loved ones – keeping everyone connected while also keeping them safe. Grandpad is specifically designed to be used by older adults who may have a limited understanding of technology. It is basic and straightforward to use. The tablet has games that provide mental stimulation and allows the care recipient to contact their family members or Home Instead staff over a secure platform.

 

Costs involved in Home Instead senior care services.

The costs involved in in home care can vary quite widely. It depends on the type and amount of care an individual needs. The location and personal space of the care recipient also influence the cost, as does the level of experience required of the caregiver.

Having said that, the national average for basic in home caregiving services is around $4,481 per month. An assisted living facility is around $4,300, while a shared room in a nursing home is about $7,756.

The median hourly wage for a home caregiver is just under $25. That means half of the individuals in this profession earn more than $25, and half earn less than that amount. Keep in mind that the caregiver’s qualifications, experience, and the location where they work will influence their hourly rate. Caregiver wages differ from state to state. They also differ depending on the geographic location within a state. For example, wages for caregivers in urban areas are likely to be higher than for caregivers in rural areas.

There are a number of different avenues to explore when looking at how to pay for in home care services. Paying out-of-pocket is one of the most common ways people fund in home caregiving services. However, some long-term care insurances could assist in covering these costs.

While Medicare does not generally pay for in home senior care services, Medicare Advantage plans could cover some of these expenses. These plans could cover transportation, medication management, and meal preparation. In most cases, a physician will need to order in home care and stipulate a prescribed care plan in order for Medicare plans to cover in home care.

A Medicaid waiver may be available in some states to help offset the cost of care. Eligibility and benefits for this cover vary from state to state – contact your local office for more information on this.

Payment for in home senior care services could be supplemented by financial programs offered to veterans. It is best to contact the local Veterans Administration office to see how they can help.

HFC and Home Instead have come together to offer grants that cover a certain amount of respite care for persons who have Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. These are not cash grants; instead, they are offered as a specific number of hours of care each week or month for a set amount of time.

 

Finding proper care for your loved one.

Because each Home Instead franchise is owned and operated independently, there may be differences in the services that they provide. You may also find it challenging to establish whether any particular local office provides the level and quality of care that you require.

The best way to gather this information is to meet the team. Start off with a phone call to the local office. If you feel comfortable, you can proceed to book a free consultation. Each interaction with the franchise will give you an indication of the level of service they habitually provide.

Although most agencies will not hand out their clients’ data, you could request that they have a few current and past clients contact you. These persons could give you an honest opinion on the service they are receiving or have received from a specific Home Instead Senior Care franchise.

Helping a loved one age in place may seem overwhelming, especially if you need to take care of them. Using a caregiver from an agency like Home Instead Senior Care can give you the respite that you need to rest and recharge. They can also arrange a caregiver to offer more advanced care to your loved one in their own home.

 

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