Prepared or Not, Home Care is Expensive but When Needed, Must Be Paid For. Learn about Other Benefits.

This is still the first question I’m asked when meeting with a new client and their family. Seniors are used to Medicare paying for at least 80% of their medical care. It is presumed erroneaously that Medicare pays for everything, It does not. However for Skilled Home Care it actually covers at 100% for home visits by a: Registered Nurse, Physical, Occupational, Speech Therpaist, Medical Social Worker and CNA bath visits. Medicare does NOT cover  custodial care in the home.

If you or an elderly, aging loved one needs help with daily bathing, dressing, walking, cooking, shopping, transportation, laundry, respite care and light housekeeping, then you need an Home Health Aide (HHA) or Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) who will stay for a few hours at a time or even as a live in caregiver.

Medicare DOES NOT pay for this type of in home assistance. So, Who Pays?  Well, either Long Term Care Insurance will, providing you meet the criteria of your policy and the claim is approved, you do, out of pocket or the family comes together to supplement care for a recuperating or frail mother or father so that their parent can remain as independent and safe as possible in their own home. Boca Home Care Services offers a consutation to you and your parents to discuss the facets of home care and resources.

There are a couple of other options, mostly government based. Is your parent a Veteran? The Veteran’s Adminsitration has a program called Aide and Attendance which either the Veteran or their spouse may be eligible for monthly stipends for home care expenses. Call the VA and ask about this program – 800-827-1000) Or visit their website. (Married Veteran-$2,019.00, Single Veteran-$1,703.00, Surviving Spouse-$1,094.00).   Local government offices may have funding for home care, it may be called a Diversion Plan or Community stipend  (via Medicaid). In South Florida it is run by the CARES department. If an older family memeber is a Holocaust survivor then they may be eligivle for subsidised home care. Check with a local Jewish Family Service or Federation to find out about this benefit.

There is  no doubt that home care is costly, though usually more desirable than Assisted Living.  People tend to improve from an illness or injury when in their own home. Assistance may be temporary or longer term. The company you choose ought to discuss care plans with you and your family and emphasize that the plan will change as the situation changes, providing a sensible plan or schedule.

Remember, if care is needed, it is needed. American families carry the load of rallying together to care for an ailing parent. Realities of costs, time, availability are all real. A little help goes a long way for safety and recovery. The government and some communtiy organizations help to cover  or defray the costs of home care. LTC insurance ought to be considered by folks in their 50′s & 60′s.  But no, Medicare doesn’t pay for it all and in coming years, will likely pay for less and less so start plannig for your old age needs.

Related posts:

1. Aid & Attendance (V.A.) Benefit Increase for Home Care
2. Does My Elderly Parent Need Elder Home Care?
3. Home Care Quiz – 2