According to a recent AARP study, 90% of adults age 65 and over would prefer to stay in their own home rather than go to an assisted living or nursing facility to receive personalized care. Like most adults when it comes to your healthcare, you have a choice and that includes home health care. For adults who find it difficult, taxing or are just simply unable to leave their home, home health care provides a variety services including skilled nursing services, physical therapy, speech therapy and social work services.
As with many things, the cost associated with these services becomes a dominant concern when deciding where to receive the care required for your particular health care needs – at home or in an assisted living or nursing facility. It may surprise you to know the cost of a stay in an assisted living facility is approaching almost $4,000 a month on average, while the cost of providing in-home care is much more reasonable.
So how do you get started with home health care? The place to begin is with a visit to your doctor who can assess your need for services. If home healthcare is right for you, your doctor will write up an order for you to receive home health care. Now that you've received the prescription from your Doctor you have the ability to choose a provider that best fits your your individual needs and can deliver the care required to keep you at home. Once you choose a Provider to work with they receive an order and a registered nurse will come to your home and assess your needs and surroundings. The RN will then set up a personal care plan with you and your family that is tailored to meet your specific needs, including a schedule for home care visits.
Finally, home health care professionals will work with you to find all available options to help with payment through Medicare, Medicaid or other insurance programs. Veterans are also often surprised to learn that in-home care is covered through benefits they earned while serving our country.
Have more questions? If you’d like to learn more about home health care call Easterseals-Goodwill’s Medallion Home Health Care at 406-454-3883.