Home Health Care Continues to be a More Affordable Option for Seniors and Others
By Valerie VanBooven, RN BSN, Editor in Chief of HomeCareDaily.com
For years now, home care has been a more affordable option than any other type of senior care. Compared to nursing home care and assisted living, for example, depending on the state, the cost can be a quarter or less than nursing homes and less than half that of assisted living.
As the Baby Boomer generations closes in on retirement age, there is expected to be an increased demand for these types of support systems for growing numbers of seniors. As men and women live longer than ever, they also often face increased health risks, physical limitations, and other challenges.
Some of these seniors may require a minimal level of care and support at home while others might demand full-time, around the clock care from home care aides, visiting nurses, and other medical professionals.
Home health care can encompass many aspects of care and support, including the aforementioned visiting nurses, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and home care aides.
Parker Franklin and Tracy Ross write a brief introduction on an interview broadcast on NPR regarding home health care, called A Conversation on Home Health Care Treatments:
“Sullivan [Tammy Sullivan of Baptist Health Home Care] says home health is designed to meet patients’ needs, and is adjustable based on each patient. It’s not a service designed solely for those that are extremely sick and need assistance. There are several payer sources including Medicare, VA and private insurance.”
Home care aides are ideally suited to provide lower cost support and care for seniors and disabled adults. They don’t require medical training and, depending on the agency or other home care provider, they may not require any prior experience, but their physical and emotional support for these seniors is often immeasurable.
Each person is different and there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach to home care services. With regard to nursing home care and other options, seniors who may only require minimal care could find themselves in an uncomfortable environment that is far more costly than if they remained home, perhaps in a home they’d lived for many years.
More and more seniors are realizing the value of home care support for basic assistance and even companionship, and with private financial sources, they can be relied upon for anything the elderly client may need. It can be ideal for helping the senior get out of bed, to go to the store, or even assistance preparing breakfast, for example.
The cost factor of home care continues to make it a far better option, according to many, than any other type of elderly care.