Home Care Overview

What You Need to Know About Home Carethroughout the day. For couples in which one spouse
As an increasing number of seniors choose to remainacts as the primary caregiver, home care services
in their home rather than move into a senior livingoften serve as an intermittent yet much needed
community, the demand for home care continues tobreak in day to day responsibilities.
rise. Also called "companion care", home care consistsHome care also offers flexibility as services can be
of non-medical services that allow an individual toarranged on a short-term or long-term basis. For
receive assistance with Activities of Daily Livingexample, services are often arranged for seniors
(ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Livingafter a medical crisis has occurred, such as a stroke
(IADLs). In contrast, "home health care", consists ofor injurious fall. In such cases, temporary assistance
skilled nursing services that are provided in the homemay be needed while regaining strength and/or
by licensed professionals such as nurses, physicians,mobility. Services may also be provided on a
and therapists.long-term basis in order to allow a senior to receive
Defining ADLs and IADLscare while their adult child is working during the day.
Activities of daily living generally include the following:Home Care Costs
- BathingA prospective client's needs are determined by a
- Dressinglicensed medical professional through an initial
- Hygiene (brushing hair, brushing teeth, denture care,assessment. This process typically takes place at the
etc.)home of the client but the location of the
- Toileting (including hygiene, use of incontinenceassessment varies as well. An assessment
products)determines the frequency of care needed and thus
- Transferring (moving from bed to chair, walker tothe estimated expense based on an hourly rate. Most
toilet, etc.)agencies have a 4 hour minimum per day. According
Instrumental activities of daily living generally includeto the MetLife Mature Market Institute(R) the
the following:average hourly rate for home care services provided
- Light house-cleaning and upkeepnationwide was $18 in 2008. If a client requires
- Meal preparationaround-the-clock or overnight care, a daily or nightly
- Medication managementrate is assessed and may cost approximately $150 to
- Shopping for groceries or clothes$375 depending on the geographic area.
- Using the telephone to schedule appointments, etc.While Medicare does not cover home care, those
- Managing money (balancing a checkbook, payingeligible for Medicaid may receive financial assistance
bills)for services provided in the home. However, most
The frequency of services provided varies dependinghome care agencies do not accept Medicaid and thus
on several factors. The primary factor is the level ofprivate pay is required. For veterans or spouses of
independence that a senior is able to maintain whileveterans, Veteran's Aid and Attendance benefits
ensuring their basic care needs are met. For example,may also be available. Visit for general information
a senior that is still independent in all ADLs may onlyabout these benefits and the eligibility requirements.
need assistance with IADLs such as house-cleaning,A Caveat Regarding Home Care
laundry and transportation to shopping once a week.It is highly advised to arrange for home care services
In other situations, seniors may need daily supervisionthrough a reputable agency that is licensed, bonded
of particular activities in order to ensure their physicaland insured. Caregivers that advertise independently
safety and well-being. Medication management is onethrough newspapers or other means may not have
of the most important services provided to seniorsthe qualifications required of employees at agencies.
living alone in their homes. If medications are takenBy going through an agency, you're ensured that the
more than once a day, a home care provider can becaregiver has gone through a state and/or
hired to ensure correct dosages and the appropriatenationwide background check and has completed
timing of each dose. Meal preparation provided at theformal training requirements.
same time ensures proper nutrition and hydration