It’s only natural for seniors to want to stay in their homes. This is the place where they feel most comfortable. Seniors probably raised their children there and have lived most of their lives. So as they get older, many become upset at the suggestion that they have to move into an assisted living facility.
Some seniors do not set aside a proper savings plan for when they get older. Others have a retirement plan, but by the time they retire, they realize that their money is stretched thin with the rate of inflation. The question then becomes how they will be able to afford In-home services or other assisted living arrangements.
In-home services are available for seniors who cannot perform daily functions independently but are healthy enough to remain at home with some assistance. Numerous private and government agencies provide high-quality care. Besides, In-home services are generally much cheaper than the care provided by an assisted living facility or a nursing home.
Medicaid can cover some In-house care for seniors. Medicaid is a state-funded program, and each state has its own set of rules. You should contact your local government office to see if your senior loved one qualifies.
What Is In-Home Care for Seniors
Some people confuse In-home care with home care services for seniors. In-home care is designed to help the medical and clinical part of senior care. Trained nurses and other specialists, such as speech therapists and physical therapists, make house visits to the elderly. Home care involves other non-medical services, like grooming, preparing meals, and housekeeping.
Deciding whether to keep your parents at home when they are older can be stressful for the entire family. Listed below are some things to consider when you are trying to make a decision.
Physical Ability
Problems such as bathing, preparing meals, and walking are common physical disabilities with senior citizens. These complications often deny seniors their independence. Physical abilities are just one of the benchmarks used to check whether your elderly loved one is an eligible candidate for In-house care.
Cognitive Ability
A lack of cognitive skills is another reason why seniors might need In-house care. For example, some seniors forget to take their medication regularly, or they cannot remember where their keys are. Others can’t keep their checkbooks balanced. Yet, a lack of cognitive skills doesn’t mean that a senior can’t live at home. They only require some additional help.
Illnesses
Other chronic illnesses can require In-house care, assisted living, or nursing home care. It depends on the severity. If your parents have had a stroke or suffer from diabetes, heart disease, or other debilitating illnesses, they could still qualify for In-house care if a physician clears it.
Assessing Your Parents
If you hire an In-house care service, they will assess your parent’s physical and mental condition. They will evaluate if they could provide In-house or if your loved one required assisted living care in a senior community or possibly a nursing home under more serious medical conditions.
Hiring an Independent Contractor or an Agency
Once families decide that they want to keep their parents at home, they need to find someone to care for them. Unless you have family members assigned to the task, you will likely need to hire through an agency or look for an independent contractor.
For most families, an agency is probably the first choice. An agency will have a significant record of their experience with in-home care. In most communities, you can check with your local Chamber of Commerce to get recommendations. You can also find more information on the Internet and ask other people in the local community who might have experience with the agency.
Independent contractors can be another alternative. Many of these independent contractors have worked for other agencies in the past. In that case, you can get references for their work habits. However, some might not have as much experience, and you might have to hire them on a test basis. When independent contractors don’t have many work references, you actually don’t know who you are hiring, and they might not be a smart choice to start with.
