Page 12 - HCN Senior Planning Guide August 2020

There’s No Place Like Home
Some Questions and Answers About Home-care Services By TANIA SPEAR
What is home care?
Home-care services are delivered to clients wherever they call home. There is a wide variety
of assistance available, including everything from occasional help with housekeeping, meal preparation, companionship, and errands to skilled services such
as nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and hospice care. The goal is to support clients who prefer to remain at home, but need care that cannot easily or effectively be provided by family or friends.
Who provides home care?
Home-care services can be provided by an agency or an individual. Support can be provided from one hour to up to 24 hours a day, 365 days per year.
There are many reputable agencies in the area. Your physician, area Council on Aging, hospital-discharge planner, or geriatric-care manager will be able to refer you to a home-care provider most appropriate to assist you.
How do I pay for home-care
services?
Government and private insurance may pay for services under specific circumstances such as after
a recent hospitalization when skilled nursing or therapy services are needed. Ongoing assistance with activities of daily living (bathing, dressing, feeding, etc.) and housekeeping are generally not covered by insurance and are often private pay. It would be best to contact your provider for more information.
Are there benefits to using an
agency?
While you may pay more using an agency caregiver, there are some advantages. An agency will offer pre- screening of workers, liability protection, workers’ compensation, and backup care in the event a particular caregiver isn’t available. An agency handles scheduling, payroll, and taxes, resulting in less paperwork.
How do I evaluate a home-care
agency?
You will want to know if the agency works with you to develop a written plan of care and/or service contract and, if so, how often it is updated. How does the agency screen and evaluate employees? Are caregivers and supervisors available 24/7/365? How does the agency resolve concerns or complaints? Can the agency provide a list of local references?
What about COVID-19?
While accepting help at home from an agency may cause some fear during the pandemic, there are some
Home
Continued on page 22
“The goal is to
support clients
who prefer
to remain at
home, but
need care that
cannot easily
or effectively
be provided by family or friends.”
Christopher HeightsTM now offers new living options packages for every season of your life.
Christopher Heights Assisted Living now offers Senior Lifestyle Plans to fit your way of life while providing quality care in a warm and supportive environment.
Enjoy everything our community has to offer as well as the freedom of your own apartment. Whatever the season, Christopher Heights has options!
Call us today for more information. We’d love to hear from you!
50 Village Hill Road | Northampton, MA 01060
Tel: 413-584-0701
99 Front Street | Belchertown, MA 01007
Lorna Stone • Tel: 413-323-5500
To learn more, please visit:
www.christopherheights.com
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AUGUST 2020 SENIOR PLANNING GUIDE