What Is ‘Home Healthcare’?

Simply stated, home healthcare, is the physical and mental supportive system and care services provided to those persons wishing to remain in their homes or assisted living apartments by a caregiver, caregiving agency, and/or assisted living environment when they can no longer perform (without help) the day-to-day activities of everyday living.

Today, many persons are opting for home care, and or homecare assistance in assisted living environments as outpatient care has become the ‘norm’ for hospitals and insurance companies. Homecare is appealing to many of us as we most often feel that our home is an extension of ourselves.  Receiving ‘in-home-health-care’ can be a great benefit to those recovering from surgery or other medical procedures that can limit their ability to easily take care of themselves, or maybe they just require a little extra help managing things as they grow older or maybe they are learning to live with a medical condition or disability. Whatever the scenario, I urge you to review and consider the questions below as this ‘issue’ nears closer to you and yours.

First let me say that ‘family caregiving’ for senior parents, relatives or even a friend can be a rewarding job. It can also be frustrating, nerve-racking and down-right depressing.  So it is important to have the ‘skinny’ (as my Dad used to say) on this topic if and when you decide or are ‘co-erced’ into taking on any caregiving position.

What is the health of your loved one?  If a parent or loved one is physically ill and you are preparing to take over their care just know that this can be very challenging….most parents do not like feeling dependent on their children.  If you do take on the ‘caregiver’ role you will have to think ‘role reversal’ as you will now be in the parental position (so to speak).  You will need to let your parent or loved one know that you are there to help support them and that you are not there to take away their independence - you are just helping out until they get better.

Senior parents (like all adults) are very set in their ways and it is very difficult to relinquish control of their day-to-day living activities to other family members. If they are still mentally capable…back away from those things that they can still adequately handle…do not force yourself into the areas that your loved one can mange on their own.   Do not take on the attitude that you can do it ‘faster and better’ so you just do it for them…this will not go over well.  Quite frankly, backing off and allowing them to handle what they can will help ease some of the stress that comes with being a caregiver.  It’s a known fact that once you become a caregiver you have a tendancy to lose (or at least ignore) your own life so while it’s important to support a loved one, it’s equally important to keep your own life in tact.

Are you strong of mind and strong of body? Taking care of someone who has had a stroke, heart attack or is just physically unable to care for themselves will take a physically (and mentally) strong person.  Getting a person out of bed, into bed, getting them dressed, undressed, showered, shaved or just getting them walking can be a physical strain.

You will need to be aware of the devices, such as wheelchairs and walkers, that can be used to assist in lifting persons up…you will also have to learn how to use them properly. You will also want to learn how to lift, pivot and walk with the person you are caring for...take some time to locate and discuss options and trainings with a physical therapist or occupational therapist to find out more on the correct way to perform care.  If you are not healthy yourself or not physically strong enough to lift someone on your own, then you really should seek out additional support.  

What is the financial situation?  Most seniors are on a fixed income and can not afford to pay for those things not covered by Medicare, Medicaid or Insurance.  Even when care is covered there could be a co-pay cost, which they may or may not be able to afford…will this expense then fall on you?  Is there a chance they might need to be on a special diet…another expense...additional care items, such as Depends, or wound bandages might not be covered by Medicare, Medicaid or Insurance…even the smallest of expenses add up during the course of an illness.

Are you (the potential caregiver) currently employed?  If you are a working person, can you afford to quit your job to care for this person?  Could you take a leave of absence from your job…paid or unpaid? Say you take a leave of absence but the person you are caring for does not get better and your leave is over…what then?  

Did you know that persons recuperating at home from surgery or learning to live with a medical condition, can be visited by trained caregivers and/or treated by a registered nurse? There are many In-Home-Care-Companies (Home Instead Senior Care is just one of several in Massachusetts) that provide alternatives for those persons that do not want to move into assisted living facilties or nursing homes…they may not have family members available for caregiving or their family caregivers need respite relief.

However it is important to note that not all home healthcare services are covered by Medicare, Medicaid, long-term care insurance, or veteran’s benefits. Due diligence is required…contact your local Council on Aging to identify companies and agencies near you that provide ‘in-home’ healthcare services…Search here for names of  Private Home Care Services nationally.

Being informed and prepared is the key to all solutions…There are lots of resources and support services available…check and verify them all…be ready when your family need arises.