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Care at Home

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Do You Need Help With A Loved One?

Arcadia Health Care knows that the term home care may have different meanings to different people. Arcadia would like to assist you secure the care you need by providing the following information.

Some people think home care is limited to skilled care, but this is only one type. Home care encompasses any service provided in the home. It includes nursing care,companionship, assistance with bathing and dressing and basic homemaking chores. Different types of home care have different costs and potential funding sources.

There are basically 3 categories of home care. Each is distinct from the others.

1. Skilled (Professional) - This category requires the skills of a licensed professional. It includes services from a registered or licensed practical nurse, physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech pathologist or medical social worker.
2. Personal Care - This type provides or assists with personal care activities. It includes bathing, dressing, grooming, hair care, transfers and walking assistance.
3. Homemaking/Companionship - This type helps with household chores and errands. It includes laundry, housekeeping, companionship, grocery shopping, and accompaniment to a doctor visit, meal preparation and pet care to name a few.

Skilled Professional care is the most expensive home care service but is usually covered by health insurances. Individuals requiring these services usually have an unstable medical condition and need close monitoring. Examples include a wound dressing change or physical therapy services.

Agencies providing these services are generally licensed by the State which helps ensure high quality, safe care.

Personal Care Services are provided by non-licensed individuals. They are called personal care aides or home care aides. These individuals have at least a high school education and 1 year experience providing personal care.

In some states the home care agency must have a license to provide personal care. The license ensures the agency adheres to regulations which may require the worker to complete personal care courses before providing care to you.

Personal care services are less costly than skilled home care. Most regular health insurance policies do not cover personal care expenses unless the person is also receiving skilled care but Long Term Care Insurance policies do cover these costs.

Homemaking/Companion services do not include personal care but all other types of services in the home. Examples are household chores, laundry, housekeeping, shopping, pet care and companionship. The home care company should require all workers to have experience performing the services you are requesting. In most states, a license is not required to provide the service.

Homemaker/Companion service is the least expensive and most flexible of all home care types. Again, most regular insurance policies do not cover homemaker/companion services.

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