Hiring in-home care is a critical decision when considering your aging loved one’s health. It has been proven to be the most effective living arrangement, not only in terms of rehabilitation but also for maintaining your loved one’s overall well-being and quality of life. It is important to plan ahead when considering home care services. In this article, we review various aspects of hiring in-home care.
In-Home Care vs Assisted Living Facilities
If this is your first time considering in-home care, you may wonder how beneficial home care is compared to placing your loved one in an assisted living facility. In fact, the majority of adult Americans prefer to age at home. It is a safer, healthier, and more affordable way to age. Many older adults prefer the idea of staying in the home they’ve come to love. Assisted living facilities are preferred by some, but according to a new AARP survey, over 70% of adults over 50 prefer to age in place.
Before hiring an in-home caregiver, there are a couple of things to consider. You want to review all your options when seeking the right in-home help. We will help you make the right decision by reviewing commonly asked questions about hiring in-home care.
Does Medicare cover in-home care?
Hiring in-home care also raises the question of cost. Medicare can cover a home health aide for 1-3 hours per week for approximately one month. However, Medicare does not cover the cost of long term care. Medicare covers skilled health care such as in-home therapy, but it does not cover home care services. When hiring in-home care, consider whether your loved one has a long-term care insurance policy to cover the costs.
What do caregivers do?
In the case of private duty care, personal care tasks are performed in-home to make everyday life easier and more enjoyable. This can include assistance with bathing, dressing, meal preparation, and even light cleaning. Home heath aides can also provide companionship care to mitigate the effects of anxiety and depression.
What’s the next step in hiring home care?
Once you determined home care is the best option for your loved one and factored in the costs of the amount of care you need, the next step is making the hire. Thankfully, there are professional home health agencies who do this for you. The home health agency will ask you about what your needs are in terms of tasks and schedules. Once they have determined your objective needs, they will work to find a personality match for your loved one.
Should I hire a caregiver privately?
There are many who hire in-home care without the use of an agency. This is generally not recommended due to liability issues. Agencies carry liability insurance and ensure that all home health aides are licensed and fit for the job at hand. Although hiring a private caregiver can be cheaper in the short run, it may prove costly in the end.
What separates Mind & Mobility from competitors?
At Mind & Mobility, home health aides are vetted to ensure they are providing the highest quality care and our one-on-one case managers are available 24/7 to address any concerns that may arise. Mind & Mobility is Physical Therapist-owned and managed and has been in business for over 10 years. With over 100 reviews on Google, you can feel safe knowing that Mind & Mobility is looking over the safety of your family member.
To get a complete understanding of our caregiver Matchmaking Process and to learn more about hiring in-home care, check out our quarterly eBook below.
Download the “Hiring In-home Care: What You Should Know” eBook filled with information to help you hire in-home care.