Have you found that a loved one is struggling to care for themselves and perform basic daily activities?

Perhaps you’re in need of assistance yourself, but don’t want to leave the comfort of your own home. These are issues that can be resolved with quality in-home care. 

In-home care consists of a trained professional visiting an individual’s home to provide assistance with things like bathing, dressing, physical therapy, cleaning, and general tasks around the house. It is typically used as a supportive service for senior citizens or people with medical conditions that make daily activities difficult.

If you are seeking in-home care services for yourself or a loved one, you likely have many questions about how it all works. Rest assured, all of your questions and concerns about in-home care will be answered in this comprehensive guide.

What is Considered to Be “In-Home Care”?

In-home care refers to an individual receiving assistance with activities while remaining in their home, rather than visiting or residing in a facility. The primary goal of in-home care is to give the individual the assistance that they need while allowing them to remain in the comfort of their own home.

Depending on the needs of the individual, in-home care can occur in several different ways. There are at-home senior services, which look to help elderly people with basic daily activities. Then there is health-related in-home care, which is for patients with injuries, disabilities, or chronic illness. You can learn more about the various types of in-home care below.

Types of In-Home Care

There are three main types of in-home care (also called private duty home care) that an individual may receive, depending on their unique needs. These include:

Personal Care

Also known as companion care or senior care, this type of in-home care is typically designed for senior citizens. 

With personal care, a home health aide will visit the home to help the individual with basic daily activities. This usually consists of bathing, dressing, meal preparation, and household tasks. They may be assisted with any medical needs, if necessary. 

According to the National Institute on Aging, this type of care, often referred to as “aging in place” gives seniors the feeling of comfort and independence as they age, since they get to remain in their own home. (1)

Companion Care

In-Home Companion Care includes activities like light laundry, light housekeeping, meal preparation, errands, grocery shopping, accompanying to appointments, conversation, assistance with pet care, getting the mail, and general help around the house.

Home Health Care

Home health care refers to physician-directed medical services that help a patient recover from an injury or surgery. In this type of in-home care, a medical professional will visit the home and assist the patient with basic activities, including attending to medical needs that aid in their recovery.

When is It Time to Arrange In-Home Care?

You may find yourself searching for terms like “in-home help for seniors” or “in-home caregiver services” online, but is it really time to seek in-home assistance for yourself or your loved one? There are several signs you should watch out for to determine whether someone is in need of extra assistance at home.

According to Dr. Ardeshir Hashm at the Center for Geriatric Medicine at Cleveland Clinic, the key is “to pick up clues early, before they start to impact day-to-day life in a significant way.” (2)

If you’re wondering whether or not in-home services are needed, look for the following indicators below:

• They have difficulty with mobility
• Their appearance has become unkempt
• Their home is consistently messy
• They are not keeping up with medication
• They are losing weight or not eating properly
• They have medical needs that require the aid of another person

These signs may indicate that it’s time to discuss options for in-home care.

Frequently Asked Questions About In-Home Care 

Before arranging to have in-home care for yourself or a loved one, you may still be wondering about a few things. Below are some of the most common questions that individuals have when seeking in-home care for themselves or a loved one.

How Much Does In-Home Care Cost?

The cost of in-home care services varies depending on the individual’s unique needs and payment options.

Is In-Home Care Covered By Insurance?

Most private insurance and programs like Medicare will not cover long-term in-home care services for seniors.

Coverage is typically only available for more short-term care, like the physician-directed home health care patients receive after an injury or hospital stay. 

How Long Does In-Home Care Last?

The duration of in-home care services depends on the needs of the patient or individual. If it is in-home health care for someone struggling with an injury or recovering from surgery, it may last weeks to months or until the patient has recovered. 

In cases of chronic illness or disability, the patient may need ongoing care for the remainder of their life.

In-home care services for the elderly are typically for the remainder of the individual’s life. In some cases, the individuals or their family members may decide that they can no longer remain in the home and must be moved to a live-in nursing home facility or assisted living home. 

This is often the case with patients who are suffering from dementia or advanced Alzheimer’s disease and can no longer safely remain in their homes.

Next Steps: Finding In-Home Care Near You

If you feel that you or a loved one is in need of in-home care, there are many resources you can reach out to for assistance.

From choosing an appropriate care provider to figuring out how to pay for in-home services, there are dedicated professionals who can guide you through the process to ensure your loved one gets the support they need.

If you or an aging loved one are considering home care services in Denton, TX, please call the friendly staff at Clear Path Home Care. We serve 75 counties throughout Texas. Call now: 817-928-5788

References

1. NIH: Aging in Place: Growing Older at Home, https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/aging-place-growing-older-home

2. AARP: How to Assess When An Older Adult Requires Caregiving Assistance, https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/home-care/info-2021/assessing-need-for-caregiver.html?intcmp=AE-CAR-BB-LL1

3. Senior Care: Home Health Care Costs, https://www.seniorcare.com/home-care/resources/home-health-care-costs/#:~:text=Compare%20Senior%20Care%20Costs%20%20%20%20Care,%20%20%243%2C721%20%203%20more%20rows%20