Home Care

Senior home care services can provide aid from daily living skills, to Alzheimer's care, to hospice care, while still living in the comfort and familiarity of the senior's own home. As the generation of the baby boomers comes to maturity, thoughts of how and where to spend retirement years begin to turn in their minds. Should we plan on nursing homes, retirement homes, assisted living, or stay in our own home? Baby boomers seem to do more research in the decision making process when it comes to home health care. There are many factors to consider when choosing help for themselves. Is there a chronic condition, such as Alzhiemer's or dementia, or someone with limited mobility? If so, do we need skilled nursing or a caregiver? Can we still live at home or do we need a facility or adult day care? More and more popular is the decision to stay in their home, a familiar and safe environment.

Private in home care has many advantages and many services available. One of the main advantages is the familiarity of being in your own home. Just being able to be surrounded by your own "stuff" is comforting. Secondly, if someone is suffering from alzheimer's or dementia, an environment that is familiar can help the mind to remember and to hold on to memories made there. Finally, an advantage could be that the cost of services may be easier to handle. Some insurances, medicare, and medicaid cover certain senior services while still being in your own residence. For example, a Personal Assistance Service company, which provides assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing, grooming, toileting, and feeding accepts some insurances but cannot bill Medicare. On the other hand, some home health care agencies, which includes skilled nursing, personal assistance services, and hospice, can bill Medicare, but it depends on their licensing.

After making a decision on what type of private care is needed, the next step is ask more questions. When choosing a home health agency, be sure to do research. Make sure the agency is licensed, bonded, and insured in the state you live in and check with the Better Business Bureau. Also, check references. Your doctor may have a preference or maybe even a friend or family member has had experience using an agency. Some other important questions to ask are how they select their caregiver or nurse, is someone on call 24 hours a day, and what procedures do they have in emergencies. Resources to help with finding services for the elderly can also be found on line. Websites are available to help match seniors and services needed to companies in their local area.

Home care is just one avenue to pursue. For some people, it is the best solution to personal needs. Privacy, familiarity, security, memories, and family surroundings are just the thing to bring a more joyful outlook on life. And that definitely is a positive influence on the person who is needing assistance which in turn spills over into the family that is around. So, start planning for the future. Begin by asking questions and doing research. Remember health care is important, and the right health care agency is even more important.