Page 14 - Healthcare News 2021 Senior Planning Guide

There’s No Place Like Home
Some Frequenty Asked Questions About Home Care By TANIA SPEAR, MSN, MBA, RN
Q: What is home care?
A: Home-care services are delivered to clients wherever they call home. A wide variety
of assistance is 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.
Q: Who provides home care?
A: 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 may be able to refer you to a home-care provider most appropriate to assist you.
Q: How do I pay for home care services?
A: 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
“Your
physician,
area Council
on Aging,
hospital
discharge
planner, or
geriatric care manager may be able to refer you to a home-care provider most appropriate to assist you.”
Q: Are there benefits to using an agency?
A: 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.
Q: How do I evaluate a home care agency?
A: 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?
Q: What about COVID-19?
A: While accepting help at home from an agency may cause some fear during the pandemic, there are some things to consider that may help make you
and are often private pay. It would be best to contact
your provider for more information. Home
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Continued on page 34
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14 AUGUST 2021
SENIOR PLANNING GUIDE
HEALTHCARENEWS
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