Home Care Service involves having someone take care of you or a loved one when you cannot be at home to provide for them. It is often called personal care. Home care is either health care or personal support care offered directly by a caregiver within the person’s home, rather than care offered in group facilities such as nursing homes or clinics. Home care is also sometimes referred to as domiciliary care, community care, or public healthcare. There are a number of reasons why a family member or friend would need to have help caring for them at home. Whether the assistance is needed due to a medical condition or because of a debilitating illness such as Alzheimer’s disease, a loved one will greatly benefit from being in their own home, away from distractions, and feeling secure.

Home care services can be provided through several different means. Medicaid, Family Care Health Services (FCHS), a State Medicaid program, and various other programs exist to assist low-income families with providing their residents with in-home health and safety. Certain consumers may qualify for additional benefits to help cover the cost of home care services. The availability of home care services varies greatly from State to State. Check with your local State Social Service Department to determine what resources are available to you.

Many times, the most beneficial home health aide is not the patient, but the family member that is closest to them. Many in-home care aides work with individuals who are not able to take care of themselves, such as the elderly or disabled. However, some family members may be able to be an asset by completing job duties and errands, such as shopping, grocery trips, or taking medications on a continuous basis. These family members may be eligible for additional consumer personal assistance program (CPAP) payments.

Elderly loved ones who require companion care in order to remain independent and comfortable in their homes are typically eligible for this program. Companion care is defined as supervision that involves trained, licensed personnel who provide daily life support services to seniors in a home setting. An individual who would benefit from companion care should have one to three years of steady, light housekeeping. Seniors with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease typically require more specialized services.

Medicare Part B covers some, but not all, home care services. Seniors who are in need of personal care in the home can contact their physician to find out what services are covered under their plan. Some of the services that are covered by Medicare Part B include adult daycare and respite care, housekeeping, meals provided under a home care plan, emergency medical care, comfort care, home health services, personal care products and services, and respiratory services. Medicare Part D covers the costs of prescription medications, certain medical devices, and certain durable medical equipment.

There are also private and government-sponsored programs available for seniors who are incapable of caring for themselves. Some of these programs include home care assistance programs for the mentally impaired. In order to qualify for these services, a representative from the various home care agencies must visit the senior in order to assess his or her condition. The representative will also interview the senior and determine whether the program would be beneficial. The program may offer services such as companionship, transportation, housekeeping and laundry assistance, and food assistance. The services provided by the companion care agency are not considered medical services, but they do not offer diagnostic or medical care either.

There are also government-sponsored, privately run home care services for seniors. These are usually sponsored by state or federal programs. Most of these organizations focus on helping to provide for the basic needs of seniors. Most of these services help to maintain the independence of senior citizens by offering respite care and companionship. Senior citizens usually depend on their loved ones for emotional support and help with personal problems as well as in maintaining their dignity.

If you are considering enrolling your loved one in a home care program, it is important to know what services he or she needs. Enrollment into a program is completely voluntary, and family members should not pressure the senior to leave his or her own home. It is best to enroll the senior in an appropriate program, which matches his or her needs. Home care agencies may offer programs to match the senior’s needs with their respective age bracket. Once enrolled, the elderly family member should continue to receive medical assistance, while adhering to the terms of the home care agency.