The Basics of Senior In Home Care

As we live longer and healthier lives than ever before, the need for senior in home care his growing sharply. Each year, more than 22,000 agencies throughout the United States offer senior in home care to more than 2 million people with physical disabilities, chronic health problems, dementia, or terminal illnesses. As the population ages, the number of senior in home care agencies will continue to grow.

Typically, senior in home care refers to non-medical services, paid out-of-pocket, which assist individuals with daily living. Home care is popular because it enables people to remain in their homes, and in communities where they have lived their lives.

Home care providers perform tasks such as housekeeping, shopping, meal preparation and driving to appointments. Senior in home care workers may also assist their clients with bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and transferring from the bed to a chair, and vice versa. Home care providers are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They may work by themselves, as a team on a shift, part-time, hourly, as live-ins or on an as-needed basis.

Although some agencies provide health-oriented services, it is important to know the distinction between non-medical home care and home health care. Examples of non-medical care services are the kinds of tasks described earlier, and the people who provide them do not need specialized training.

In contrast, home health care requires nurses, or physical or respiratory therapists. These individuals are trained medical professionals or certified nurses’ aides. Home health services are usually ordered by a physician and may be covered by insurance.
Locating providers of senior in home care requires some research. The names of agencies or private providers may be found in Yellow Pages listings under “Senior Services,” “Home Care,” “Home Health Care,” or similar headings.

Most communities have an Area Agency on Aging, which can be another excellent referral source, as can community-based and senior citizen organizations; religious institutions such as churches and synagogues; physicians and hospitals; employment agencies specializing in home health care provider placement; word-of-mouth from friends, relatives, acquaintances or business associates; the Internet and newspaper ads.

Typically, agencies will be the most expensive option, and independent providers will be the least costly. Agencies, however, can be easiest to use, and the extra expense justified, because they find and place in home senior care providers , and are responsible for payroll and any problems that may arise, including substitute coverage for sick or absent providers.

The cost of in home care varies based on the level of skill required. Personal care assistance typically charge $7.50-$15 per hour, home health aides or skilled nursing professionals command $16-$25 an hour, or more, and live-in care is priced by the day or week rather than hourly. Such supervision can run as high as $200 a day, or more, depending upon location.

Regardless of the level of care required, it is important to read contracts carefully, check all references and consult with a trusted source before singing on the dotted line.