Home Care versus

HOME CARE VERSUS HOME HEALTH CARE

HOW CAN I DETERMINE IF HOME CARE IS NECESSARY?

When self-care at home becomes difficult and/or family caregivers are not available to assist, home care may be the answer. Home care often relieves family members of basic caregiving functions and makes it possible to spend quality time, rather than the functional caregiving time. Home care is often easier and faster than moving to an institutional care setting and allows the senior to stay at home in familiar surroundings.

WHAT IS HOME HEALTH CARE?

When the need exceeds what home and personal care can provide, a home health care agency may be required. Home health care provides skilled medical services (such as administration and adjustment of medication levels, monitoring and dressing of wounds, etc.) in the home by trained medical personnel. Home health care is always ordered and supervised by a physician.

WHAT IS HOME CARE?

Simply put, home care is non-medical personal assistance provided in the home. Home care may include help with bathing, dressing and personal hygiene. It may include a wide range of services: taking and recording vital signs, assistance in the bathroom, light housekeeping, meal preparation,

Ease into it

companionship, grocery shopping and pharmacy errands, home safety supervision, medication reminders, bill-paying, laundry and transportation.

WILL MY INSURANCE COVER THE COSTS?

Medicare, Medicaid and private insurances are sources of payment for receiving home and home health care. Home health care services are typically medically necessary. They are paid for by Medicare or other health insurance, and have been ordered by a physician. Private duty home care services are typically paid for privately, or using long-term care insurance, reverse mortgage proceeds, Veterans aid and attendance pension benefits, or some combination of any of these programs.

Based off advice from the Family Caregiver Alliance, here are tips for introducing a home care service into your loved one’s routine.

• Start slowly.

Gradually add hours as needed and allow time for your loved one to get used to the idea.

• Listen and

acknowledge your loved one’s feelings, and possibly fears, about hiring home care.

• Involve your loved

one in the hiring process as much as possible.

• Consider alternative motivators.

Using a doctor’s recommendation, the need for housekeeping or help with preparing meals might make your loved one more comfortable with the notion.