You’re concerned that Dad may need some assistance at home, and so naturally, you know exactly where to turn for assistance, right? No? Relax – you’re not alone. Millions of Americans are faced with the same predicament, and most people don’t know much about home care services until the need for care develops.
If you’re in the preliminary stages of looking into home care solutions, it’s beneficial to have some understanding around what exactly home care is and how it works. To help you through this process, the professional team at CareFor, top providers of long term care and care management services, has pulled together some frequently asked questions related to aging in place and long term care in Georgetown and the surrounding communities, along with the appropriate answers to help you make better, more informed care decisions for your loved one.
Q: Will Medicare pay for long-term in-home care?
A: No. Although it’s true that Medicare may help with paying for some home health care costs within very particular boundaries, it was never meant to cover long-term in-home care.
Q: Is it more economical to hire a caregiver privately than through a professional home care agency?
A: No. Although at first it may seem that hiring an independent caregiver is more cost-effective than hiring a caregiver through a professional home care agency, there are many hidden expenses when hiring a private caregiver. For example, with a privately hired caregiver, you are the employer, meaning it’s your duty to cover taxes, worker’s compensation, and more. When working through a home care agency, you do not have to worry about or pay for any of those items.
Q: Is home care an appropriate choice for a senior with Alzheimer’s or dementia?
A: Yes. CareFor provides highly skilled, compassionate Alzheimer’s and dementia care in Austin and the surrounding areas. Our caregivers are provided with ongoing training on how to provide the highest quality services to seniors, offering families much-needed breaks from care and peace of mind.
Q: What do ADL and IADL mean?
A: ADL refers to Activities of Daily Living, or activities that occur each and every day, including bathing, getting dressed, transferring from the bed to a chair, walking, etc. IADL refers to Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, and covers such activities as handling household finances, shopping, using the phone, etc. ADLs and IADLs are assessed when identifying which level of care is most appropriate for an older adult.
CareFor can help older adults with both ADLs and IADLs, resulting in safer, more comfortable, and more independent lives at home.
If you’re interested in learning more about aging in place, we’d love to have the opportunity to speak with you about our long term care in Georgetown and the surrounding areas. Contact us any time online or at (512) 338-4533 to learn more about how our home care and care management services promote safety and independence. See our full service area.