The Basics of Senior Home Care
The established family and community support networks that have traditionally assisted the elderly as they grow less mobile and less capable of taking care of themselves are gradually eroding. As they do, an increasing number of seniors are looking to senior home care to provide for their needs, a trend which is likely to continue for future generations.
Fifty years ago, it was common for most members of an extended family to stay in one geographical area, but that is no longer the case. Members of the X and Y generations are far more willing to move long distances for the career and environment they prefer. Technology makes staying in touch easy, so there is no longer a need to remain geographically close to remain connected. Consequently, those entering their golden years today cannot count on their children or grandchildren to take care of them when they need it.
In the past, a senior whose family wasn’t able to help could turn to church or community organizations to pick up the slack. However, those programs are becoming overburdened and underfunded as the elderly population swells, and they are increasingly incapable of providing a reliable support system.
Still, there comes a time when nearly everybody needs extra help. Sometimes, home care is a short-term situation following an accident or a serious illness. They just need some domestic assistance to keep the house in order while they recover.
Others rely on home care to keep them out of a nursing home facility. Staying in their own home provides a level of freedom and privacy that that they value. This can become a long-term situation, with a permanent home care professional attending to critical medical needs as well as domestic chores.
Hiring an hourly employee to provide in-home care is a reasonably accessible option for most seniors on a short-term basis. Generally, part-time care can be found from a variety of providers for $15 to $25 per hour. However, in the case of more serious conditions that require 24-hour care, seniors can expect to pay between $150 and $350 for home care. On a long-term basis, those costs become too high for seniors who are not adequately prepared.
While a variety of insurance options exist that include provisions for home care, premiums for any long-term care coverage increase dramatically with the age of the insured. younger person planning ahead will find that coverage to be considerably less expensive than an older person.
This is especially true for young people. Health care costs are likely to rise into the future, public services for the elderly (such as Medicare) may not maintain adequate funding, and traditional support networks will likely continue to erode. Regardless of age, planning ahead is the best way to ensure that options like senior home care are available if and when we need them.
Jack is healthcare consultant who specializes in companion care 19007. Check out his Website here.
Recent Comments