Ask about ongoing professional development programs to ensure they stay updated on the latest best practices in senior care. We believe in providing quality, safe living while helping seniors remain as independent as possible and continue to live purposeful lives.
Unfortunately, you should accept now that you or a senior loved one may not be able to get everything in a senior living community, especially if you have limited funds to work with (as just about everyone does). It’s useful to consider early on what will be most important when it comes time to find the senior care option that will be best for your needs, so you can prepare yourself or a loved one for what you may need to give up. Senior care is expensive and it’s stressful figuring out how to make sure your parent or senior loved one gets the care they need while staying within a range you can afford. That’s especially true if they didn’t do a great job of planning financially for senior care costs, which is the case with most seniors. Only about a third of seniors have set aside money for long-term care needs, according to a recent study. Two of the most well-known government-sponsored programs designed to assist in the healthcare costs of Americans are Medicare and Medicaid. If you or a loved one has Medicare or Medicaid, you’re probably wondering if home care services are covered.
Signs of caregiver stress and burnout can overlap, but the list in the following section, while not exhaustive, may indicate that the senior requires a greater level of care than the caregiver can provide alone. Help your loved one establish new routines and familiarize themselves with the daily schedule at the senior care facility. This consistency can provide a sense of stability and help them adapt more easily to their new living environment. It’s natural for your loved one to experience a range of emotions during the transition, including sadness, anxiety, or even resistance. Provide emotional support, engage in meaningful conversations, and encourage them to participate in activities and social interactions within the senior care community. Reach out to healthcare professionals who are familiar with your loved one’s medical conditions and care needs. They can provide valuable insights and recommendations based on their expertise.
You can communicate to the professional caregivers your loved one’s likes and dislikes, habits, routines, concerns and all the other things that make them an individual. Without your help and involvement, their senior care may fall short of what they deserve.
Do Medicare and Medicaid Cover Home Care?
Knowing these details will help inform decisions about how much support the dependent will require for their senior care needs. Home care services can provide assistance with a variety of tasks, including meal preparation, laundry, and transportation. In some cases, services may also include specialized care, such as help with medication or wound care. Fortunately, there are many care options available to the elderly – from 24/7 health care in a specialized facility to hourly companion care in the home. In some cases, your loved one might prefer an assisted living move for the social connections. Sometimes, older adults don’t want to burden their families with their care needs. If you’re looking for alternatives to nursing homes and assisted living facilities, you’ve likely come across 24-hour care and live-in home care for the elderly in their own home.
Non-skilled Home Care
If needed, a nurse can still come to the home for skilled care, such as changing bandages on a wound. A physical therapist can also visit if short-term sessions are recommended by a physician. Nursing homes, also known as skilled nursing facilities, are designed for seniors who require more comprehensive medical care and supervision.
Assessing and Planning Ahead for the Costs
Address any concerns or fears they may have and reassure them of your support. Listen attentively to their feelings and provide comfort and understanding. Their firsthand experience and impression can help them feel more involved in the decision-making process. Encourage them to ask questions and express their thoughts during the visits. Assess the opportunities for social interaction and community involvement both within the facility and with the broader community. State and federal laws regulate these agencies, so you may be able to receive some financial assistance for these programs.
To help find the senior care solution most appropriate for your parents, you may consider having their physician conduct an evaluation. Read more about Companion care for elder here. The amount of assistance that one receives depends on several factors, including how many members are in their household and the overall household income.
Since caregivers are present around the clock, they can quickly respond in the event of a medical emergency or accident. Meanwhile, the staffing shortages faced by nursing homes and assisted living facilities continue to impact the industry at rates severe enough to be labeled a crisis. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the sector has lost nearly 229,000 caregivers (or more than 14% of its workforce) since February 2020, the worst job loss among all healthcare sectors. The lack of available staff has forced more than 60% of nursing homes nationwide to limit new patient admissions. Over 500 nursing homes closed during the pandemic, frequently attributed to the challenge of recruiting workers. Among these closures, more than 40% were distinguished facilities with four or five-star ratings.
Regardless of one’s state, home health care will almost always be more expensive than basic home care because of the medical certifications and training required of the caregivers. Finding appropriate home care can be an overwhelming prospect, but Active Senior Care is here to work with you to find the best quality home care for your loved one. Our caregivers are available immediately, and we accept all long-term care insurance. When you choose Active Senior Care, we refer a caregiver to begin providing services right away. But first, we match our senior clients with a caregiver we feel has the necessary skills to meet their needs. Live-in care requires negotiating a proper work schedule with clearly defined time off. It is important to research these different forms of financial assistance to determine which programs will best meet your specific needs.
