It has been well documented that most adults heal faster, experience less stress, and enjoy increased quality of life, when they can remain in the comfort of their own home. Makes sense, right? So how can we help our aging parents or loved ones experience the same benefits? How can we ensure they can enjoy independence, safety and comfort in their own homes?
The good news is that you have choices. Three home-based programs are most commonly used by families, and the differences in these programs can appear subtle. It is important to understand what these services provide, if they are appropriate for the needs of your loved one and how these services are paid for.
First, Home Care is a service that offers a caregiver who will come into your home to help with personal care, errands and chores. For example, if a loved one has increased stress and / or becomes unable to do light cooking, cleaning, dressing, bathing or taking medication as directed, a home care service can be of great help.
The cost of home care depends on the amount of time a caregiver spends with the loved one and may be covered by some long-term insurance. Check in on your long-term policy for the specifics regarding a paid caregiver. Most home care services are paid out-of-pocket by the loved one or family.
Home Health Care is another service that can be provided in your home. This skilled medical care is often provided for an illness or injury, with the goal of helping the patient recover, regain independence and become as self-sufficient as possible. Home health care can also help you live with a chronic condition like heart disease, COPD or diabetes and often makes hospital visits shorter and less frequent.
For example, if your loved one needs help with wound care and/or care from a registered nurse or dietician or physical, speech and occupational therapy, home health care can be a blessing and huge support for loved ones and family members.
When a patient is referred by his physician for home health care, Medicare may pay for the costs. Private insurance may also cover some home health care expenses, including some services that Medicare might not cover. Partners In Care will work with you to contact your insurance company to learn about individual coverage.
Hospice Care is really a philosophy of care with a mission to treat the person with end-of-life needs, rather than the disease, and focus on quality of life. By combining medical care and compassionate support, Hospice care can give loved ones the opportunity to live each day to the fullest — at home (or in our Partners In Care Hospice House) — with comfort and dignity.
Compassionate hospice services can reduce anxiety in both the terminally ill patient and family by enabling the patient to live as fully and comfortably as possible —
to make the most of the time remaining. For example, hospice care can help manage physical symptoms and keep the patient comfortable, provide emotional and / or spiritual support for the patient and family, even assist with resources, referrals and education that might be helpful.
Once a loved one is referred by a physician, Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance companies cover most hospice services. Partners In Care will work with you to contact your insurance company to learn about individual coverage.
Lastly, it sometimes makes sense for these programs to work hand in hand. For example, paid home care services and hospice care providers often work together when the needs of the loved one are numerous and the benefit of one program does not meet all the requirements for a safe and independent environment.
If you think your loved one or a family member might benefit from the support of regular home visits from any of these programs and specialists, ask your doctor or call Partners In Care at 541-382-5882. To learn more about how we can help, visit partnersbend.org
