Seniors who can no longer live independently but do not wish to move to a nursing home or assisted living facility can opt for home care services. They may be able to get help with cooking, cleaning, errands and financial management or with activities of daily living such as bathing and dressing, according to Medline Plus.
Types
Some home care is medical in nature and can only be provided by licensed health care workers, such as nurses and therapists. You can get other care from aides and companions who do not necessarily hold any type of license, depending on state regulations, according to the National Association for Home Care and Hospice. Providers of home care--including medical, non-medical or both--include home health agencies, staffing companies, hospice organizations and registries. Seniors can also find and hire care providers independently.
Considerations
In deciding whether staying at home is a good option, the nature and location of your home are important to factor in. A house that has few steps and has a bathroom on the first floor, or one that can be easily modified for accessibility, will make living at home easier, notes Helpguide.org. An urban or suburban location may put shopping and medical services within reach, especially if it has public transportation. A large yard to maintain can be a big disadvantage. Having family and friends nearby makes staying at home a more realistic choice. Finances are a crucial consideration, as well.
Payments
How seniors pay for home care varies widely. Paying out of pocket is an option for individuals and families who can afford it. People who are 65 or older, home-bound and have a doctor's order for home care can often get part-time or intermittent home care services courtesy of Medicare, according to the National Association for Home Care and Hospice. Federal funds, through the Older Americans Act, are also available for non-medical care via Area Agencies on Aging, though seniors often must contribute in proportion to their income. Payment can also come from social services block grant programs funded by the federal government and from nonprofit organizations, state governments and local governments. Home care coverage from commercial insurance carriers varies by company and plan.
Statistics
About 7.6 million people in the United States use home health care for reasons including long-term health conditions, acute illness, terminal illness or permanent disability, according to a 2008 National Association of Home Care and Hospice fact sheet. They rely on 17,000 providers. Expenditures for home health care total $57.6 billion per year.
Outlook
Home care is a growing field. Home health aides and personal and home care aides numbered 1.7 million in 2008, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The number, the agency notes, is likely to increase by about 50 percent by 2018, much faster than the average for all occupations. The trend reflects not only an aging population, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, but also patient preference, the high cost of hospital and nursing-home stays and the realization by medical providers that familiar surroundings are conducive to healing.
References
- Medline Plus: Home Care Services
- Helpguide.org: Home Care Services for Seniors
- National Association of Home Care and Hospice: Who Provides Home Care?
- National Association for Home Care and Hospice: Basic Statistics About Home Care
- National Association for Home Care and Hospice: Who Pays for Home Care Services?
