Home
care refers to at-home assistance provided with the goal of promoting
an individual’s sense of normalcy and wellbeing. Home care
services include:
- Daily
Living Assistance:
- Personal
Care Assistance - assistance with bathing, dressing, medications,
exercise, etc.
- Homemaking
– assistance with meal preparation, light cleaning,
laundering, etc.
- Appointment
Escort
- RN
Supervision
-
Respite Care
-
Companionship & Emotional Support
Deciding
which healthcare option is right for you can often be a difficult
task. Care provided in the home setting presents the advantage
of greater comfort and independence, which may foster a client’s
sense of welfare. Moreover, home care may also alleviate stress
for both the client and his or her loved ones, another important
benefit. It may be a helpful solution for:
- Seniors
or disabled individuals who need daily living assistance, but
prefer to remain in the privacy of their own homes
-
Individuals recently discharged from a hospital or recuperating
from an illness or accident who need assistance with personal
care and/or household tasks
- Elderly,
chronically ill, or handicapped individuals in need of supervision,
emotional support, and/or nursing care
-
Terminally ill individuals in need of palliative nursing care
or families of terminally ill individuals in need of assistance
and support
- Families
in need of relief with the responsibilities of caring for a
physically or developmentally disabled child or adult
- Respite
care to ease the responsibilities of the primary caregiver
Who
pays for this? The following is a brief overview of the
largest sources of funding for home care services:
Medicare
is the federal health insurance program for retirees (or spouses
of retirees) over the age of 65 and those with disabilities. Medicare
offers a short-term solution, and individuals MUST be homebound
to qualify for home care under Medicare. In the event that skilled
nursing services are also needed, Medicare may cover services
provided by a CHHA on a limited basis.
Medicaid,
on the other hand, helps cover home care costs for those with
low income or limited resources. In New Jersey, Medicaid may cover
home care services for those needing long-term care under the
Personal Care Assistance Program (PCA). A potential setback associated
with Medicaid,
however, is that it may be out of reach for those with incomes
above the eligibility bracket.
To
combat this, there are a few little-known paths that are worth
pursuing for those who want to minimize home care costs. They
include:
- Waiver
Programs: Waiver programs have different eligibility
criteria than traditional Medicaid, although they offer similar
benefits. Waiver programs include, but are not limited to:
