Getting help for your aging parents at home can mean different things to different people. But it doesn’t have to be as confusing as it might seem. by understanding just a few key details, you’ll be on the way to selecting the home care services and provider that’s right for you in Olympia:
1. There are two types of home care
Home care is divided into two primary types of providers:
- Home health agencies that provide medical skilled care; and
- Home care agencies that provide non-medical personal and companion care.
The types of services, the caregivers providing them and the payment options are all determined by the type of care which is needed.
Medical home health agencies provide skilled services when ordered by a physician, such as skilled nursing and physical, occupational and speech therapy. These agencies, most often, accept third-party reimbursement from Medicare, Medicaid, and other private health insurance.
Home care agencies like FirstLight Home Care – South Sound provide services from state-licensed Certified Nursing Assistants and Home Care Aides that support the activities of daily living (ADLs). These services include help with bathing, toileting, fall prevention, light housekeeping, medication reminders, companionship and transportation. Home care services are not covered by Medicare or Medicaid, nor are they typically covered by medical insurance. Clients either pay privately for these services or utilize long-term care insurance, which most often covers home care services.
2. Home care provides respite for family caregivers
Many people are lucky enough to have family members, like a spouse or adult child, who can care for them when their health prevents them from caring for themselves. However, these family caregivers are at risk of burning out and neglecting their own health. No matter how much they love the person they are caring for, these generous caregivers need to have breaks from caregiving to avoid these problems.
Home care agencies provide the flexibility families need to provide family caregivers with the respites they need to return to caregiving refreshed and energized. These respites allow caregivers to run personal errands, spend time with friends or even take several days away from it all. Respite care can last a couple of hours, a full day or a few days. Respites can be regularly scheduled or when needed. Most important, respite care allows the family caregiver to take a break with the confidence and peace of mind that a licensed, trained professional caregiver is with their loved one.
3. Home care can be short-term and temporary
Most home care agencies don’t require contracts or long-term commitments. Services can be temporary, schedules can be changed daily or weekly, and can be cancelled at any time (with 24-hour notice). Most home care clients try out the services on a short-term, trial basis before settling in to a regular schedule.
Many utilize home care after having hip, knee, shoulder or some other surgery to assist recovery and help regain confidence and independence faster. By taking care of the everyday activities, home care’s trained caregivers also monitor progress and dramatically reduce the chances of complications that might require readmission to the hospital.
4. Home care partners with hospice
Because hospice does not provide 24-7 care in the home, home care agencies fill in with their professional caregivers to help fulfill a patient’s daily needs, tracking progress or decline.
5. Reputable home care agencies are licensed, insured and reviewed
The price of choosing a reputable home care agency in Olympia, like FirstLight Home Care – South Sound, is worth it. We screen, train and run thorough background checks on every caregiver we employ, saving you that burden.
Also, make sure to choose an agency like FirstLight that directly employs their caregiving staff. Some agencies use independent contractors to save money and offer lower hourly rates, but this puts the responsibility on you for taxes, insurance, and workers’ compensation. FirstLight Home Care – South Sound has the lowest caregiver turnover rate (4.6%) in all of senior care.
Another plus of hiring a good Olympia home care agency like FirstLight is that you have backup coverage if your main caregiver is sick or on vacation. FirstLight will never leave a caregiving shift uncovered. Make sure you read online reviews as you evaluate agencies to ensure their current clients are satisfied with their services.