How much do you understand the basis of homecare? Homecare is the most misunderstood elderly care option, yet it could be an effective option for your loved one. Regrettably, several misconceptions and myths surround it. It is flexible and comes with several options. It offers a couple of hours of compassion and can accommodate those in need of 24/7 living help and intensive respite care. Before you dismiss this option, ensure you understand it. And that's the objective of this article- to debunk common misconceptions about home care.
Retaining a Living-in Caregiver is High-End
If you are new to the idea of home care, you might think it is an expensive option. Well, that is not true. According to the Home Instead Senior Care Network survey of 2010, average families overestimate the cost of retaining a non-medical living-in caregiver by approximately six dollars.
In other words, hiring a home care agency is more pocket-friendly than many would imagine.
The Genworth Cost of Care Survey from 2011 indicates that private room cost in a nursing facility has increased by approximately 3.4 percent to more than seventy-seven thousand seven hundred and forty-five dollars annually.
Additionally, home care removes the need to move into a community or nursing facility, cutting down costs.
Typically, people cover home care services out of pocket, although some insurance plans cover the fees. In 2018, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced that Medicare Advantage benefits would include non-skilled in-home senior care services with assistance with daily living activities alongside health care offered by medical practitioners beginning 2019. Please check with your insurance provider to learn more.
Medicare Covers Home Care Services
Do not count Medicare as far as long-term in-home care services like meal preparation, laundry, and companionship are concerned. Medicare does not cover personal non-medical services. It covers only homecare ordered by the physician like:
- Occupational therapist
- Social worker
- Physical therapist
- Nurse
- Speech therapist
Please note that Medicare covers qualified, skilled homecare services ordered by a medical practitioner for only twenty-one days.
Typically, Medicare covers:
- One hundred percent of the approved amount for approved cost for covered living-in skilled therapy and nursing services, and
- Eighty percent of the approved amount for covered medical equipment.
Home Care Prevents Your Loved One From Socializing
While moving into an assisted living community or nursing home comes with numerous social activities, home care doesn't prevent your aging parent from socializing. Generally, your loved one's standard routine from previous care doesn't change in any way once you hire the caregiver. They can participate in the same social activities they had before they had the homecare service and experience no difference in social interactions.
On top of companionship care offered, your aged parent can attend religious events, family events, visit their doctor, and go shopping. They have a person to transport and help them navigate the water in public safely without several potential risks.
A Living-in Caregiver Will Offer a Solution to a Challenge or Cure a Health Condition
While some medical treatment might accompany home care, the care isn't a remedy to an issue or a cure to a disease. Home care is designed to help your loved one with daily living activities. It also assists them in staying safe and independent while remaining in their home.
Homecare is Designed for the Terminally Ill Persons
Although home care could be instrumental to persons with severe health conditions, not all receipts are terminally ill.
There are two forms of in-home care services: non-medical and medical care. Medical care is tailored for persons requiring assistance to cope with chronic health conditions or recovering from any injury, illness, or surgical procedure.
On the other hand, non-medical care provides help with activities of daily living, including:
- Bathing
- Transportation
- Contingency
- Eating and preparing meals
- Doing dishes
- Laundry
- Personal care
- Grooming
Non-medical care also offers companionship, which might be vital in preventing depressive signs and symptoms and boosting good mood.
Homecare is Designed for the Aged
Just like the previous misconception, homecare is not meant for aged persons only. Another group that can benefit from the services are persons recovering from surgery or parents with newborns. Homecare can be personalized to meet your needs, taste, and preference.
Caregivers Do Not Care and Are Untrustworthy
Some people believe that living-in caregivers are untrustworthy and uncaring based on hearsay or anecdotes. People read and forget that one caregiver is one of the hundreds. While some persons might have previously experienced challenges, more often than not, caregivers are naturally compassionate and reliable. It takes dedication and a big heart to do their work. Additionally, most got into the career after caring for their loved one, making their job one they take seriously and personally.
It takes time to build any relationship. As a result of the living-in caregiver spending a lot of time with your loved one, their bond naturally strengthens with time.
Care providers are let into their client's house, so you might fear they will abuse or rob your parents. If you employ a caregiver from a renowned service provider, then this is a non-issue. Reputable agencies ensure their employees are licensed, insured, bonded, and trained. These employees undergo thorough background checks before employment.
Offering Homecare Service is Easy and Does Not Require Any Training
Taking care of your aged parent might not require any special training, but you might find yourself wishing you had training and skills in specific situations. If your parent has Alzheimer's and is delusional, you do not see the individual they see, and you are sure it is all in their mind. If you tell them that, they are going to react.
Your caregiver is trained on how to live their client's moment. They know what to say and at what time.
If You Retained a Caregiver, You Don't Love Your Loved One
Taking care of a loved one can always be stressful and overwhelming. Due to the burnout, you might discover that you're short-tempered. Meanwhile, you cannot ignore your loved ones' sentiments that you should prioritize your parents. If you fail to provide care, you are deemed a selfish person.
Do not allow what other persons say to force you into providing care. You understand and know your abilities, responsibilities, health, and finances better than any person. If you are engaged elsewhere, it is advisable to employ skilled home care services.
Home Care is Designed for Persons With 24/7 Needs
The opposite is true. Living-in care is flexible, and scheduling could be three hours or around the clock. Most providers require at least three hours to schedule their care. However, the sky is the limit as far as how they could schedule care is concerned. Should longer-term home care be required, there are 24-hour home care options.
Living-in care involves a skilled caregiver remaining in your home. Generally, it is best for people with a predictable sleep schedule since caregivers should get five hours of downtime to sleep. It also has benefits like lowering the number of caregivers in your home and easy scheduling.
24-hour home care involves at least two caregivers alternating so that there is a person offering care always. This is beneficial if your loved one requires care at night or has interrupted sleep patterns.
Family Members Can Easily Offer Homecare
Some people requiring daily help are lucky to have their family members assisting them. Probably, it's because the family members are unemployed or don't have responsibilities that could stop them from offering quality care. However, many do not have close relatives or live far away to depend on loved ones for compressive and reliable help.
More often than not, family caregivers become overwhelmed and stressed or discover that the necessary care is outside their expertise. Consequently, respite care benefits both family caregivers and the individual requiring care. It permits you to take the much-required break or attend other engagements.
And most importantly, your competent caregivers have training that informs many types of situations, including emergencies that you might not have.
Your Homecare Provider Will Replace the Role of Your Family and Friends
Although the caregiver offers the required break for your loved one, the presence of living-in care cannot replace their importance. The caregiver could supplement the care your loved ones provide while deferring your preferences.
Homecare Services Are the Same
Generally, there are three main categories of in-home care services, including:
- Agency employees
- Independent contractor with a registry
- Independent caregivers
Agencies hire caregivers following a thorough screening, and the employees are insured, bonded, and well-trained. The agency handles employment responsibilities and performance matters of the employees. You pay the agency, not your living-in caregiver.
A registry recruits an independent contractor with a registry. While the caregiver is rigorously screened and trained, the registry does not bear any responsibility. They only refer a caregiver to a client, and the senior citizen or their loved one assumes the employer's role.
Independent caregivers market themselves. You should screen them to determine if they are experienced and qualified.
Out of these options, an agency employee is the most effective option. The hiring process is straightforward, and the agency offers its workers continuing education and additional support.
Homecare Service Providers Offer Low-Quality Care Compared to Nursing Facilities and Hospitals
Home health care is as effective as care you receive in an assisted living facility or a hospital. Homecare agencies employ skilled and licensed experts. These professionals can offer a similar form of care as the hospital but in a more comfortable and less rushed setting.
One advantage of home health care over an assisted living facility or hospital is the team will come to your home. The expert can also analyze your other needs like a system to manage your medication and methods to prevent more injuries and make you more comfortable.
You Lose Independence When You Hire a Caregiver
Having an in-home care aide does not mean sacrificing your independence. Instead, it helps you maintain independence. By working on challenging tasks such as cleaning and cooking, the caregiver makes life easy and supports your loved one's efforts to live independently longer.
In-home Caregivers Will Dominate Your Home
A living-in caregiver is ideal for offering a lending hand and medical expertise. Nevertheless, they do not dominate your homecare situation. Depending primarily on your needs, the care provider will work with you and your family to develop your care plan that satisfies your needs. They will also work with you closely to ensure you feel involved. It prevents your caregiver from offering more services than wanted or required.
You Do Not Get to Choose Who Your In-home Caregiver Is
When experienced homecare agencies in Los Angeles are working with new clients, they develop extensive care plans and conduct home assessments, including identifying challenges experienced and how the agency can assist. The purpose is to match caregivers with clients by activities needed and personality. Then a living-in caregiver is assigned.
Generally, first meetings and caregiver introductions don't work initially. That is why agencies ask for feedback from both you and their employee. After gathering information, the agency can either change your caregiver or counsel and coach your caregiver to meet your needs. You have control over who your caregiver is.
Find a Compassionate Living-in Caregiver Near Me
Homecare is a confusing topic to comprehend, primarily if you have not conducted adequate research. Without understanding this form of care, typical misconceptions and myths can cloud your mind and stop you from seeking help for your loved one. Could you trust a caregiver with a sick or aged loved one? Will you pay for the home care services out of pocket?
It is advisable to consult with a seasoned home care agency in Los Angeles and get answers to your questions. That way, the agency may address your specific needs.
Mom's Home Care offers exceptional and compassionate living-in care services throughout Los Angeles. We provide our clients with services they require to live comfortably, safely, and independently at their homes. We customize our care plan, ensuring your needs are satisfied. Think homecare might be right for you? Contact us at 323-244-4789 to learn more.
