Elderly Home Care

Most seniors are active several years longer than generations before them. Figuring out how to best help a loved one can be challenging. Caring for the elderly is not always a task that one family member can do alone. Having a support system in place can help to reduce stress and prevent injury from occurring. There are options available within a range of budgets for in-home help. Adult children often have limited time to help due to the demands of raising their own children or working a full-time job. The help provided can be outsourced to a provider trained to assist the elderly. Here a few tips for finding options for elderly home care. 

Clearly expressing the level of care needed is important when seeking home care. Seniors may need several different levels of care. Many serious conditions after an injury of decline in health require clinical care from a nurse. Occupational or physical therapy may need to be done within the home on a regular basis. Injections of certain medications or giving treatments may need to be done by a nurse. Some insurance companies will pay for this level of care if a primary care provider obtains prior authorization for the elderly care service. 

Elderly care that does not require a clinical professional is helpful for personal care needs. Safely having a bath can be extremely important if an individual has had a prior fall or is suffering from hip or other joint injuries.  Light housekeeping, meal preparation, and running errands may be provided by an elderly care professional. Elderly home care that does not require the use of a clinical worker is often payable all or in part by state-based Medicaid. Hourly rates are available if insurance does not apply for services needed. Having an elderly home care professional is one way for seniors to be independent longer. This is especially helpful for adult children who live and work out of state. Staying in communication with the elderly home care service is one way to have an inside look into how a parent or other family member is doing. This service provides peace of mind for seniors who live alone, and rarely go out unassisted. 

Work with the elderly home care service to see what options are available. Help may be available within a matter of hours, depending on the availability of the staff. This is especially important after an unexpected hospitalization or sudden decline in health. Use these tips when using professional elderly home care services.