Seniors will eventually reach a point in their lives when they are no longer able to perform their daily tasks on their own. As they age, they will begin to need assistance with things like meal preparation, mobility, and personal care so it is important to find the best senior care services available near you. The elderly population is growing and experts say aging in place is most often their wish. In fact, 80 percent of older adults live independently in their own homes. As they age, seniors’ physical and cognitive condition will likely change, making it challenging to perform their daily living activities completely on their own, without any assistance. Steps to Finding the Right Senior Care Services 1. Research your options There are many options available to those looking to secure home care for their senior loved ones. • Home health agencies These are organizations that provide skilled and/or medical in the home. Most seniors who need assistance with basic daily living activities do not necessarily require the services of a home healthcare agency. The services of a home care agency is typically what is needed to allow them to remain in the comfort of their own home. They are also more affordable than home health care agencies. • Hospices Hospice is a healthcare option for individuals who need end of life care. Patients who receive care through hospice usually are suffering from a terminal illness and have been given a prognosis of 6 months or less to live. Hospice care focuses on comfort and quality of life, rather than life-saving medical treatments. • Home Care Agency A home care agency provides sends caregivers into the home to assist with activities of daily living, such as; personal care, light housekeeping, meal planning and preparation, companionship, medication reminders, etc. 2. Choose between home care and an assisted living facility More and more, seniors are choosing to live independently at home – “age in place.” In fact, the AARP reports that approximately 90 percent of seniors intend to stay home as they age. Seniors who are able to do many things on their own but find some tasks to be problematic, are good candidates for in-home care service. However, those who have severe medical needs, or are at risk of harm or injury, might best be served in a skilled nursing facility. 3. Assess your budget Medicaid and traditional health insurance typically does not cover the cost for home care services. They will cover the cost for hospice care and sometimes in-home medical care if the individual qualifies. It is important to determine what – if any – costs there will be associated with the care you decide to get for your loved one. Long term care insurance will cover and/or reimburse the insured for non-medical in-home care. 4. Call the agency’s offices Once you narrow your choices down, call the agency and ask them about their services. Make sure you get a warm feeling that they are experts in their field. This will help you get a good idea of their experience, quality and standards. 5. Understand how the agency selects their care givers It is crucial to ensure your loved one is being cared for by excellent care-givers 6. Understand which specific services are offered by the agency This will help you to ensure that your senior’s needs are all met adequately. 7. Check the availability of the agency’s caregiver(s) Are they going to be consistently available to provide coverage for the days and times your loved one needs it? What about future availability in the event that your loved one’s needs change? Is there an up-front cost or deposit? A long-term commitment? What if there is a personality mis-match? These are all good questions to ask up front so there are no surprises down the road. The staff at Elderlink Home Care, Inc. is always working as a team to provide our clients with the best possible in-home care experience. Call us today to see how we can help you and your loved one.
