What Is Home Care? Simply put, home care is when an individual such as a nurse, physical therapist or caregiver come into a person’s home to assist them. There are two main types of home care: home health care and home care. Home health care refers to medical care provided in the home, such as skilled nursing, physical therapy or occupational therapy. This care is provided by a licensed individual and is typically provided short term after a hospitalization or surgery and often times is covered by Medicare. Home care is the term used to define assistance with what is commonly referred to as ‘ADLs’ – activities of daily living. This type of care is provided by a caregiver or home health aide and they are not required to hold any specific certification or license. What Type Of Assistance Will I Receive With Home Care? Caregivers from a non-medical home care agency, such as Elderlink Home Care, Inc., provide assistance with the activities of daily living – routine things we all do, every day, but often get more difficult with age or illness. These include things such as assistance with bathing, personal care and grooming, meal preparation, medication reminders, transportation, companionship, and light housekeeping, to name a few. Home care agencies typically provide short term assistance before/after surgery, or will provide respite care so family members and primary caretakers can have some time off. How Much Does Home Care Cost? The cost for non-medical home care varies depending on if you are setting up care on your own privately, are using the help of an agency, and the specific needs of the person receiving care. Most agencies charge an hourly rate and have minimum amounts of time that must be scheduled. Elderlink Home Care, Inc. shops Denver area agencies regularly. Currently, the majority of agencies charge on average $27 – $30 per hour. Because Elderlink has been in business for over 30 years, we have perfected the art of home care and offer our clients a unique service that allows our clients to take advantage of our extremely competitive rates which are currently $19 – $25 per hour. Will My Insurance Cover Home Care? Medicare and other traditional health insurance typically do not cover home care. If the person receiving care has long term care insurance, it will usually cover non-medical home care. Otherwise, most home care agencies and associated costs are private pay. There are some government benefits available for qualifying veterans to help fund the cost of home care. Reverse mortgages are also a good way to secure funding for home care. How Do I Choose A Home Care Agency? There are many choices when it comes to selecting a home care agency to work with. We recommend researching your options before the need arises. This way, you have time to call several different companies, ask questions and select the one you feel the most comfortable with. It’s also a good idea to ask close friends or trusted professionals (such as your doctor) if they have any recommendations for you. The best testament to a company is a satisfied customer! They might be able to narrow down your search significantly. Home care is a very personal decision and you want to choose an agency that not only meets your needs, but one that makes you feel good and at ease throughout the entire process. There is a lot of information out there when it comes to home care. These are just a few of the most common questions asked when discussing home care. If you or a loved one would like to discuss home care or arrange for an in-home consultation, please call Elderlink Home Care, Inc. at 303-734-0641.
