In the past, growing older often meant moving out of your comfortable, familiar home and into a nursing home. Fortunately, home care services can help keep you at home. Start a search today to find affordable home care services.
While nursing homes can be a great option for some, others prefer to be in the comfort of their own home. Luckily, there are a wide variety of choices available, and finding the right home care services for you simply requires a bit of research.
What Is Senior Home Care?
Senior home care is a type of professional support service that helps seniors maintain their independence and continue to live safely at home. It’s very similar to the type of care you would receive in an assisted living facility. The main difference is that you’ll receive this care in the comfort of your own home from a certified senior home care provider.
The length and level of care can vary, but senior home care generally refers to non-medical or personal care, along with companionship services. Caregivers spend two to eight hours a day, several days a week, helping with various activities and providing companionship.
Senior home care providers can assist with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, eating, and using the restroom. They can also help with instrumental activities of daily living like laundry, house cleaning, meal prep, and grocery shopping. Additionally, senior home care providers can provide companionship, conversation, and transportation to appointments and other activities.
Why Is Senior Home Care a Good Choice?
There are many benefits to choosing senior home care over other common options, like moving to a senior living community or a nursing home. One of the biggest benefits of aging in place is the comfort and familiarity that comes with continuing to live at home. Having a caregiver come to your home is less of an adjustment and it allows you to maintain your independence.
Senior home care also allows you to stay more connected with loved ones. Unlike most assisted living facilities and other senior communities, you’re not limited to specific visiting hours; your friends and family can stop by anytime. With senior home care, you can also continue to engage in any hobbies or activities you enjoy.
How Much Does Senior Home Care Cost?
In comparison to other options for seniors who need additional support, senior home care is a more affordable choice. You can choose to hire a caregiver from an agency or individually. Agencies come with fees that will make the total cost about 20 to 30 percent higher, but they usually provide training, background checks, and some on-the-job supervision. If you choose to hire a caregiver who isn’t part of an agency, the cost is likely to be lower, but you’ll need to do your own background check and ask for references.
As of 2021, the average cost of in-home care for seniors is $24 a hour, with an average daily cost of $188 and an average yearly cost of $47,000. In contrast, the average cost of nursing home care with a private room is $290 a day or $105,850 a year. The affordability of senior home care in comparison to assisted living or a nursing home makes it a great option for many seniors.
How to Find Affordable Senior Home Care
Although many families pay out of pocket for senior home care, there are also several ways to make this service more affordable. For example, home care is tax-deductible in some cases, making the cost more manageable. If you’re a veteran, you’re eligible for senior home care services under the Veteran’s Administration as long as you meet the need for them and they are available.
Medicare Advantage is a great option to lower the expenses of senior home care as well. Also known as Medicare Part C, Medicare Advantage covers non-skilled in-home care for seniors, although coverage can vary depending on the specific Medicare Advantage plan. It’s important to note that Medicare A and/or B cover medically necessary home health care, but not non-skilled in-home care.
Government assistance is also available to those who qualify. A good place to start is the federal government’s Eldercare Locator, which is a public service that can connect you and your family to various resources for seniors.
The Bottomline
Senior home care is a versatile service that can provide you with the assistance you need to age in place. With the help of a home caregiver, you can continue to live an independent and fulfilling life from the comfort of your own home.
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