When is the right time to start thinking about long-term care? If you are considering taking care of elderly parents at home, now is the time to take action. You should never put off planning long-term care and having a caregiver in place can help eliminate a great deal of stress.
Many aging Americans wish to age at home, and this can be accomplished with the help of a family caregiver or home health aide. Depending on the needs of the elderly parent, there are many options for different types of home care.
If you are planning care for your parents, or if you are looking to create an effective plan for yourself, it is important to consider all options. An expert home care specialist from North River Home Care could help.
5 Types Of Home Care Options
In-home care options vary depending on the needs of the individual.
Some elderly family members may need part-time care in their homes, others may opt for 24 hour care to support basic needs. Having a plan of action can ensure that emotional support, physical needs, and healthcare services are met.
The following are the five types of home care that everyone should know about before creating their long-term care plan.
Full-Service Private Duty/Private Pay Agencies
These are usually “non-medical” services and can include basic companionship, housekeeping, bathing, dressing, and transportation. Some dementia care or respite care may be available, too.
A private duty home care agency, like North River Home Care, provides non-medical care by employees of the agency who are screened, trained, monitored, and typically bonded and insured. There is far more safety in this model and far less potential liability for the care recipient than with a nursing registry.
Nursing Registries/Healthcare Registries
Nursing registries and healthcare registries act as “matchmaker” services, assigning nursing services to clients who need home care. However, registries place the responsibilities of managing and supervising the worker on the patient, a family member, or a family advisor.
With nursing registries, the majority of supervision, taxes, and workers’ compensation can fall on the family. Some nurses are untrained or not trained to meet certain care needs. Nurses may be a good option for basic personal care and minimal health services, but risks should always be considered as well.
Home Health Care
Home health care is skilled nursing care that one receives at home for the treatment of an illness or injury. Health care providers can help care for wounds, administer certain injections, and monitor health conditions. Some caregivers can monitor diabetes, blood pressure, heart disease, and assist with dialysis.
Services are often provided by Medicare-certified Home Health Agencies (HHA’s). Home Health Care can also provide rehabilitation services including speech therapy, physical occupational therapy, and respiratory therapies. The cost of physical therapists and speech therapists could be covered by Medicare.
Hospice Care
Hospice care is a special concept of care designed to provide comfort and support to patients and their families when a life-limiting illness no longer responds to treatments. Hospice is an end-of-life care option that can be completed in a home or hospital. Most hospice options require someone to be with the hospice patient at all times.
How a family accomplishes hospice is up to the patient and the family. Hospice entails a range of services from nurses and mental health professionals to spiritual advisors.
Medicaid Home and Community Based Care
Medicaid home care and community-based care is intended to provide services for those who cannot afford to pay for care. It is designed to keep the person out of a nursing home. Recipients do not need to be homebound or ill to receive the services.
To access Medicaid services, the individual must first be assessed by a state agency social worker. They need to be approved for a specific number of home care hours or given a voucher for a certain amount of care.
Taking care of your elderly parents at home can be a reality with proper planning. For those that are looking to age in the comfort of their home, it is always important to consider all homecare options. Working with a caregiving specialist, like one from North River Home Care, could help.
Choosing Home Care Over Nursing Facilities
For many seniors, the idea of going to a nursing home or assisted living facility is not appealing. Most individuals want to stay where they feel most comfortable, which is right in their home or the home of a trusted family member.
Choosing to age in place can provide:
- Comfort
- Familiarity
- Peace of mind
- Improved quality of life
Determining what type of help may be needed in the home can keep aging seniors in their homes longer. In some cases, basic care and companionship may be all that is required to stay within the home. Other individuals may require healthcare assistance or hospice care to stay home.
Taking Care Of Your Elderly Parents At Home With North River Home Care
Understanding the types of care available helps families better prepare for care in the future. Adult children and elderly patients can make long term care plans with guidance from an experienced home care specialist. At North River Home Care, our team will work with you to determine the patient’s needs and develop a plan of action to best suit each family.
Our goal is to help seniors and their families feel comfortable with their care options. We offer free assessments for home care.
