Your Guide to Home Care

• Companionship
• Transportation
• Light housekeeping
• Meal planning and preparation
• Assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) like feeding, bathing, dressing, toileting, walking and transferring, and incontinence care
• Skilled nursing care

Types of in-home care for seniors

• Homemaker and companion care includes services like light housekeeping, laundry, meal planning and preparation, transportation to doctor’s appointments and for errands, social interaction, and medication reminders.
• Personal home care assistance involves help with ADLs. It may also include some homemaker and companionship services.
• Home care for dementia patients may include any of the services above, but it is provided by caregivers with specialized training in conditions that cause memory loss and behavior changes, such as Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
• Home health care is medical in nature, usually requires a doctor’s order, and must be provided by skilled professionals like nurses and therapists. Wound care, physical therapy, nutrition counseling, and administration of IV and injection medications are a few common types of home health care services.

• Difficulty performing ADLs on their own
• Changes in physical appearance, such as noticeable weight loss or poor hygiene
• Changes in their behavior, such as trouble sleeping, extreme mood swings, or difficulty keeping track of time
• Difficulty performing instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), which include cooking, shopping, housework, and managing finances

• Health problems, including headaches, stomachaches, or high blood pressure
• Extreme fatigue
• Feelings of helplessness, anger, or resentment
• Depression and anxiety
• Social withdrawal
• Loss of interest in hobbies or otherwise enjoyable activities. If you recognize any of these symptoms in yourself, it’s important to take steps to reduce your caregiver burden. In-home care is an excellent source of respite, which can help you prioritize your own self-care.

• Savings
• Veterans benefits
• Long-term care insurance
• Medicaid
• Reverse mortgage loans

• Determine whether your loved one needs nonmedical home care, home health care, or both. Home health care is usually appropriate for seniors who are recovering from an illness or injury or who have chronic medical conditions. Nonmedical home care is best for older adults who would benefit from companionship and assistance with personal care and daily tasks.
• Decide whether to hire an independent caregiver or hire through an agency. Going through an agency is typically more expensive than hiring a private caregiver. However, an agency handles all administrative tasks, including background checks, payroll, workers compensation, and settling disputes should any arise. Hiring privately can give you more freedom and flexibility because you’re the caregiver’s employer. However, it also comes with much more responsibility.
• Understand the costs of care. Request information on rates and time minimums from all potential care providers to compare costs easily. You may also want to ask what other sources of payment each accepts to get an idea of how the total cost will fit into your loved one’s budget.
• Request information on caregiver training and education. Regardless of whether you hire home care through an agency or privately, be sure to verify that your potential care provider is properly trained, licensed, and certified.

• Be respectful.
• Set a common goal.
• Research all care options.
• Include them in the decision.
• Ask about their concerns and identify the what-ifs.
• Make future plans a topic of ongoing discussion.