4 Top Benefits of Seeking Home Health Care Services

As people age, it can become challenging to maintain an entirely independent lifestyle. We slow down, we can’t see as well, and driving becomes difficult. Eventually, help will be needed. One standard solution has always been assisted living facilities, which cater simultaneously to large groups of people. But we’re still individuals. Not everyone wants to give up their home or follow a schedule set for them by someone else. Home care may be the better option for those who want to disturb their current lifestyle as little as possible. Care is uniquely tailored to each person, providing the services they need, omitting those they don’t, and ensuring they can continue enjoying their time with minimal interruption.

Loneliness breeds depression, and many elderly individuals eventually find themselves without a partner. Only approximately 3.6% of seniors over the age of 65 live in a nursing home, meaning that those without a spouse or other family to live with are on their own. As crushing as depression can be, being alone also increases the likelihood and severity of accidents, including those that may not be noticed until it’s too late. While daily care and injury avoidance are apparent aspects of a home health aide’s job, many overlook their companionship’s benefits. They are friends, people to talk to and share stories with. Such camaraderie is worth its weight in gold, as they say, and can stave off the emotional toll of otherwise being alone.

People who provide care to their relatives are subject to burnout. We all know that life can be challenging for anyone, juggling a job, kids, and other responsibilities. As noble as it is, adding in the care of an additional person will incur further costs on time, potentially eliminating the chance of social life. Home care can lift that burden, however, and is flexible enough to provide as much or as little support as needed. In some cases, 24-hour live-in care may be the best solution. In other cases, a health care aide who stops by a few days a week might be enough to ensure that the necessary care is provided. Either way, everyone can enjoy a break.

Nursing homes are expensive, with the average annual cost of a private room running at nearly $100k/year in the United States. Considering that Medicare typically does not cover long-term care facilities, you may find your savings quickly depleting. On the other hand, even if you had to pay for home care entirely out-of-pocket, your savings would be significant. However, given that both Medicare and Medicaid cover many home care services, there’s a good chance your out-of-pocket expenses could be drastically reduced if not eliminated.

A recent Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) program adds to your options even further. Under CDPAP – which is Medicaid funded – a close relative or friend can be designated as an at-home caregiver. Even better: they’re paid for the care they provide.

The top home healthcare agencies make hiring a home health aide both convenient and safe. They can spare you the effort of searching for a caregiver on your own and ensure that a large team is always at-the-ready to provide round-the-clock coverage. If you’re ready to take the next step, reach out at any time for more information.