In Home Senior Care Options

In Home Senior Care Options

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Even if living with or living near family and friends, there may be times when seniors need home care services. This refers to non-medical or custodian care given at the home of a patient, usually by persons who are non-licensed medical personnel (not nurses or doctors). Such caregivers are hired directly or through an agency.

In fact, seniors are usually the beneficiaries of home care. Of these, more women than men need in home senior care. People with disabilities or special needs, as well as those recovering from major surgeries, comprise another group who would typically avail of this service.

Home care makes it possible to remain at home and in the environment they are most comfortable with instead of using long-term institution-based nursing care. It allows them to be near loved ones and gives them a feeling of living a "normal" life as opposed to long term stays in a hospice or nursing home. There is also a variety of options available for home care services, depending on the type and frequency of assistance needed.

Home care may involve one or both of these services: professional health care or life assistance. The former is usually carried out by licensed medical personnel and includes disease education and management, wound care, pain management, medication teaching, psychological assessment, occupational therapy, speech therapy and physical therapy. On the other hand, life assistance involves helping out with activities of daily living.

Activities of daily living include those that reflect the patient's capacity to care for himself, such as eating, walking, bathing, dressing and using the toilet. It also covers daily tasks such as light housework, preparing meals, taking medication, shopping, using the telephone and managing money. For the latter, home care providers are there to educate and advise, with the patient making his own decision on financial matters and signing his own checks and financial or legal documents.

Home care services are generally available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. However, options include having providers on a shift, part-time, hourly, live-in or an as-needed basis. Providers may also work by themselves or as a team.

In financial terms, in home senior care (with the exception of live-in care) is generally less expensive than room and board or assisted living facilities such as nursing homes. The cost of home care depends on several factors, including location and skill level of service. For instance, caregivers hired through an agency as well as licensed medical personnel will cost more than direct hires and informal help.

Home care services can have hourly, daily or weekly rates, and the cost can be paid by the patient and his or her family as an out of pocket expense or via public and private sources. Federal or private insurance, for example, can be used to cover professional health care services, which are usually ordered by a doctor. Financial assistance can also be obtained from community organizations such as the local cancer society or Alzheimer's association.

About the Author:
Jordan has done specific research on this subject in an attempt to help anyone in their search for understanding. When suffering from diabetes, Alzheimer's or any kind of illness it helps to find outside assistance. Senior home care can help you with your daily living. You can find trustworthy in home senior care in your local phone book, or on the internet.



Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com


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