For seniors and their families, hiring a home care service can support independence for the older adult while reducing stress on the family unit. A home carer can assist with activities of daily living (ADLs), like bathing, dressing, preparing meals, chores like laundry and dishes, medication management, and transportation to and from appointments and outings. Skilled caregivers who are qualified nurses can also provide medical care for those with more complex medical needs.
When an older adult needs help with daily activities, this support can be invaluable. As an alternative to assisted living, a home care service can help people age in place in their homes, which many older adults would prefer. In fact, AARP reports that 75 percent of adults 50 and older want to remain in their homes as they age.
An Alternative to Family Caregivers
Many seniors rely on family members such as their spouses and grown children to provide unpaid support. Family caregivers may struggle to balance their own personal responsibilities and care for their loved one, leading to stress. According to Cleveland Clinic, an estimated 60 percent of caregivers say they experience burnout, a state of physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion.
Meanwhile, older adults receiving care from a loved one may wrestle with feeling less independent, especially when the caregiver is their child.
Even having an in-home care person come a few times a week can afford family caregivers more time to meet their own needs and do things they enjoy. The older adult may also be more receptive to professional help from someone outside the family unit.
Care Costs
While in-home care has many benefits, it comes at a cost.
As of 2024, the median cost of private in-home care in the United States ranges was about $6,000 a month. Caregiver qualifications, services offered, and location can affect rates.
Skilled nursing care provided by an in-home health aide is more expensive, with the monthly median cost nationwide approaching $6,500. Licensed nurses can provide medical care at home, including medication administration and wound care.
New York State provides Medicaid funding for in-home care. These programs have stringent medical and financial requirement that determine whether an applicant qualifies for assistance. Many seniors are over these limits, but with the proper planning and the help of and elder law attorney, they can often become eligible. Navigating Medicaid’s complex requirements can be overwhelming for seniors and their families. Elder lawyers specialize in helping older adults manage legal, financial, and health care issues, including qualifying for Medicaid.
However, often just as important is knowing when it may be the right time to hire a home care service.
When to Hire a Home Care Service
When an older adult needs help with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, and preparing meals and prefers to age in place, it may be time to hire a home care service. Here are some indications that it may be time to consider in-home care for an aging loved one:
- The older adult is having trouble with daily tasks. Signs that may raise concerns include a less clean home, infrequent bathing, and social withdrawal. The individual may seem sad, apathetic, or have lower energy.
- The older adult does not want help from family members. They may be more receptive to care from a neutral third party.
- Family caregivers are feeling overstretched and exhausted. They may even be experiencing personal health challenges worsened by caregiving stress or want more time for themselves, their work, or other responsibilities. Hiring a professional caregiving service can free them up.
- In-home care is the older adult’s preference for other long-term care options and is medically appropriate. While many seniors prefer to age in place, other long-term care options come with benefits like increased social opportunities or more affordable round-the-clock medical care. Be sure to consider the various benefits and drawbacks of different care options before making a decision.
If you are considering hiring a home care service for your loved one, the elder law attorneys at Kurre Schneps can help you navigate through the options available and put together a Medicaid plan to help reduce the high cost of care.
