We are living longer. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, those who are 85 and older are the fastest growing segment of the population. As a result, more adult children than ever are helping their parents navigate their journey with aging.
Finding appropriate supports and helping guide your parents’ choices when additional care is needed can be overwhelming. Do an online search for in-home, professional caregiving services and the results are endless. Everyone looks and sounds the same.
How can you be confident that they’ll provide safe, respectful, dependable care? Will they support your parents’ autonomy and independence, while enhancing their well-being? Is this financially sustainable? Where do you start?
In this article, we cover some of the more common options for care to support living at home. Next week we’ll review alternatives when living at home is no longer working.
Let’s look at managing care at home:
- When aging in place (in the place you call home) becomes difficult
- Care (and housing) options – and what makes sense when
- Resources to help make informed decisions about your options and plan of action
Managing care at home
Options/Costs*
Home Care services. A licensed caregiver can provide help in your home with the following tasks:
- assistance with all activities of daily living (bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, mobility)
- medication reminders and oversight
- light chores
- meal preparation
- transportation
- errands
- companionship
Most home care services are paid for privately and average costs in the Greater Seattle/Eastside area are $35-$40/hour. Flat-rate “live-in” caregivers are $500-$650/day.
If eligible (based on limited income/resources and care needs), Medicaid provides a limited number of covered in-home caregiver assistance through the COPES program.
Have you purchased a long-term care insurance policy? You may have some coverage for in-home care if you meet the policy criteria.
There may be other programs that offer a limited number of caregiver hours in your home if eligible (example: Veterans programs, Family Caregiver Respite Programs).
Home Health services. These services are ordered by your physician, typically when you have had a change in functional status. If ordered by your physician, Medicare or private insurance covers the services. Services are time-limited, short term, and could include a visit by a Nurse, Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Speech Therapist, Social Worker, and/or bath aide.
Adult Day services. Adult day programs provide family caregivers with respite (don’t underestimate your need for a break as part of your own self-care) while meeting the social and health needs of participants through individual plans of care. Adult Day services provide an opportunity for participants to remain in a community setting of their choice while offering a safe and secure environment, supportive activities, social engagement, and enriched quality of life.
Companionship services. Companionship support is not a substitute for home care services. Companionship services usually supplement home care and other types of care or attendant support, but not replace them. For example, Aging Wisdom offers a Creative Engagement program, which are companionship services. Creative Engagement is anything that taps into and encourages a personal connection, enjoyment, and a sense of purpose for an older adult.
Pros/Cons/Tips for Success
Benefits
- Continue to live in your home, which is familiar
- You’re acquainted with and comfortable in your neighborhood
- Aging in place can be more affordable than living in a residential care facility if you don’t require a lot of care and support
Pitfalls
- Our homes usually don’t accommodate changes in health and mobility
- Home maintenance can be difficult
- Safety becomes an increasing concern
- Loneliness is a real possibility
- Medical complexity may create barriers to managing care at home
- Family caregiver burden and fatigue
- Finding the right caregivers
Tips on setting this up for success
- Have a clear picture of finances
- Home Assessment and safety check by a Certified Care Manager
- Home modifications may be necessary
- Ensure transportation needs can be met
- Consider technology for safety and monitoring (not to replace necessary care!)
- Have a realistic view of the care needs and how they will be addressed at home
- Having a trusted person to help you manage and oversee care, such as a Certified Care Manager
- Don’t overlook quality of life and engagement
Engaging the right services and supports can ease a lot of anxiety, save time and money, enhance your parents’ quality of life, and bring you peace of mind.
Every family and each situation are different. Our Certified Care Managers are experts at helping families prepare in advance and navigate the options. CLICK HERE to schedule a call today to plan your best path forward.
*We use the Genworth Cost of Long Term Care survey as a baseline for median long-term care costs.
Return to the Aging Wisdom blog next week for — Navigating Care Options (in greater Seattle) Part II — a review of alternatives when living at home is no longer working.
