No single individual can adequately handle the responsibilities of caregiving alone — certainly not on top of other work, family and community responsibilities. Even those with standard life insurance policies may be able to transfer their current insurance policy to a cash payment.
If your loved one’s physical and cognitive functions diminish and their daily needs increase, they may need 24/7 in-home care. While you may consider an assisted living facility or nursing home, you have another option. If a senior is no longer capable of performing ADLs without assistance, or cannot independently complete several IADLs, it is a strong indication that it may be time for some type of senior care. Based on the senior’s level of functioning, this could mean hiring an in-home personal care aide, or, in more extreme cases, it may indicate a need for residential care. In fact, this measurement of care need is frequently utilized to determine if a senior meets the functional criterion for financial long-term care assistance programs, such as Medicaid. Work closely with the care staff to ensure a smooth transition of care services.
What Does Eldercare Cost?
Residential respite caretakes place in group homes, nursing homes, and other specialized facilities that provide both planned and emergency services. Visiting Angels offers live-in and 24-hour home care, which can ensure a professional caregiver is available to address your loved one’s needs and provide companion care – day and night. Caregivers can also help with personal care, including grooming, bathing, dressing, toileting, meal preparation, and light housekeeping. Consult with the senior care facility to learn about the support services they offer to families. Many facilities provide educational programs, counseling, and family engagement opportunities to help ease the transition process.
Talk to your family and friends, and do your research to find the best option for your needs. Specialized care is also available for cancer patients, stroke victims, seniors with muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, and other neurological, physical, and cognitive conditions. Try to put your agenda on hold until you have a better sense of where your loved ones are coming from. Having their trust and buy-in will preserve your relationship long-term, no matter the address.
Take the Time to Make an Informed Decision
People in need of eldercare may receive it in their own home or in a more formal institutional setting, such as an assisted living facility, a memory-care facility, or a full-service nursing home. According to Genworth Financial’s Cost of Care Survey, the average cost of in-home care in the United States is $4,957 a month. For home health care, the cost is higher, at an average of $5,148 a month. Home health care differs from the other types of home care in that home health care aides carry certification to provide medical assistance. These aides may not provide any medical care beyond medication management. This type of home care is comparable to the services residents receive in assisted living communities.
That’s why it’s imperative that you only deal with trusted healthcare agencies. At Executive Home Care, all our caregivers are employees, not third-party contractors. To work for us, caregivers must pass an intensive pre-employment screening process. For those without access to any type of insurance coverage, there are other options available – such as support from local organizations – to help offset costs. Exploring these options early on can help families best prepare for any financial roadblocks they may face down the line.
Read more about Companion care for elder here. Many older adults eventually reach a point where they can no longer care for themselves the way that they used to. Home care is an appealing option for many seniors and their families because it can be used for just a few hours a week or on an as-needed basis for those who are having some difficulties, but do not need constant care. It can serve as an in-between for seniors who are struggling to care for themselves or their home completely independently, but do not need around-the-clock assistance. It’s also a good option for seniors who may have been resistant to moving out of their home, but who do need help with some of their ADLs.
It may take some work, but eventually, you will both decide on the choice that’s right for your senior. If you are unsure of how to best help an aging loved one, the trained and compassionate staff at the Institute on Aging is here to help you make that decision and gain the best in at-home senior care. One of the best examples is a housing project on the waterfront in Aarhus, Denmark’s second-biggest city. Pioneering an innovative intergenerational living concept, the House of Generations is a 300-unit mix of retirement and nursing homes, family homes, youth flats and apartments for disabled people. Retirement and nursing homes make up the majority of housing and also come with the necessary additional care. Individuals or couples living in retirement homes receive daily visits from a care worker, while those in the nursing home units receive more substantial medical support. Remember, each family’s situation is unique, and what works for one may not work for another.
Service Areas
While it’s okay to do some research ahead of time, your loved one should be involved in a decision like this since it affects them directly. Sometimes, a broken hip or a bad fall could prompt a visit to the ER or hospital.
Take note of professional reviews and ratings from reputable organizations specializing in senior care evaluations. These assessments can objectively assess the facility’s standards and quality of care. Learn about the qualifications, training, and experience of the staff members.
