By BEN ADEL | Special to the Palisadian-Post
Understanding the options for long-term care is important to ensure that you or your aging loved one receives the appropriate care based on needs, budget and modality. Seniors have several care options, including nursing homes, assisted living communities and in-home services.
“Nearly 90% of people over age 65 want to stay in their home for as long as possible,” according to a recent AARP study. Therefore, many seniors tend to opt for in-home care services so they can still enjoy the comfort of their own homes and maintain their independence.
In this case, there are two options to consider: home care and home health. While home care and home health sound very similar, each offers different services.
Home Care: Non-Medical Care
Home care refers to non-medical services performed in a patient’s home to assist with activities of daily living such as grooming, housekeeping and meal preparation.
In the state of California, home care professionals are not required to be licensed so they can be hired privately. Since going private elevates risk for all parties, a reputable home care agency will provide peace of mind by requiring background checks, drug screening, thorough training and additional credentials for all home care staff.
Oftentimes, home care services are needed when seniors experience physical and cognitive changes that interfere with their daily routine. It’s common for one’s needs to increase with age, and while family members typically step into this role, it can quickly become overwhelming. Therefore, most families will hire an in-home caregiver as a long-term solution.
An in-home caregiver can help with the following tasks: Alzheimer’s and senior dementia care, companionship, grocery shopping, light housekeeping, meal preparation and feeding, hygiene, and personal assistance.
Home care services are typically paid through private pay or long-term care insurance. The cost of home care varies depending on whether you decide to go the private or agency route. Home care services through an agency come with an added layer of security and liability, and the strongest will be licensed and bonded companies with accreditation by The Joint Commission for healthcare organizations.
Home Health: Medical Care
Unlike home care, home health care refers to medical services provided by licensed medical professionals at a patient’s home. Home health services require a written order from a doctor and can be arranged through home health agencies.
Some common services that are covered include: nursing care (treatment and injections, administering medication, and wound care); physical therapy (treatment plans to restore function and improve mobility); and occupational therapy (physical and cognitive exercises to improve daily activities).
Home health care is a convenient and cost-effective option for seniors to recover from an illness or injury outside of a hospital or nursing facility. Depending on a patient’s needs, they can receive short- or long-term care.
The most common ways to pay for home health care include private insurance coverage, Medicare or Medicaid benefits, out-of-pocket payments, long-term care insurance policies, veteran’s benefits, and other government assistance programs. Private insurance plans may cover some or all of the cost associated with home health care services depending on the plan type and policyholder’s particular circumstances.
Medicare and Medicaid can also provide financial assistance in certain cases as well as state-funded programs such as California’s In-Home Support Services Program. Long-term care insurance policies can be used to cover costs not covered by other means while veteran benefits are available to those who served in the military. Several government assistance programs also exist that offer additional help with paying for home health care services.
Do I Need Both Home Care and Home Care?
Even though home care and home health provide different services, there are situations where these two services can be combined to help a senior who may need both medical and non-medical assistance.
For example, if a senior is recovering from a recent surgery, a home health professional may provide physical therapy while a home care professional helps with grooming, cleaning and providing reminders to take the right medications during recovery. Seniors can often benefit from having both services if they require a little extra attention.
Getting the Right Care: Next Steps
Finding the proper care for your loved one is no easy task as there are many factors to consider based on the needs of your loved one. If you are still not sure of whether you should choose home care or health care, try an agency that offers both services.
Start the conversation with your loved ones today about their wishes for long-term care to find the best option.
Ben Adel is founder of Luxe Homecare, a Pacific Palisades-based home care, home health and hospice agency offering Medicare-approved services in Los Angeles, Orange County and Riverside. They offer round-the-clock support, including at-home caregivers, registered nurses (RN and LVN) and more. Background checks are required for all staff to give you and your loved ones the peace of mind you deserve. Contact the Luxe team at 310-459-3535 or visit luxehomecare.com.
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