Most seniors would prefer to age in their own homes. Unfortunately, though, this is never an option for some because old age comes with its own unique set of challenges and limitations.
In-home care comes in handy when you would like to age in your own home but are limited in some way. It entails getting professional assistance for long term care in the comfort of your home.
Advantages of Aging in Place
- Personalized professional care
- Help with personal hygiene
- The person stays in familiar surroundings
- Family members can be involved in offering care
- The person can be helped so they can remain somewhat independent
- The person can be assisted when performing personal chores
- Care is offered or supervised by an expert
Since this sounds so good on paper, one might be worried about the cost implications. Here is an overview of them.
How Much does In-Home Care Cost?
The cost of in-home care will vary from state to state. A survey that was conducted by Genworth Financial gave an estimate of around $4,000 per month for in-home care and said that the median rate per hour is $20.
Some states charge less than this, while others charge more. Here is a snapshot of the median hourly rates charged in some states:
- North Dakota – $27
- Hawaii – $25
- Minnesota – $25
- Louisiana and West Virginia – $16
- Alabama, Arkansas, and Mississippi – $17
How is the Cost of In-Home Care Calculated?
Several factors influence the cost of in-home care. This includes the number of hours worked and the level of assistance that the elderly person needs. Before deciding on a specific method, it is important to assess the needs of the person, while also planning it in a way that will maximize care while minimizing cost.
Hourly Rates
Most in-home care experts charge their clients on an hourly basis. This method is good because it is easy to compute, and tasks can be planned and completed in a specific amount of time. That being said, it can be expensive.
Most nursing homes will specify a minimum number of hours to help with staffing. This is usually between 2-4 hours.
Daily Rates
This is suitable for those who need full-time care. The daily rate is usually between $200- $350 per day.
Overnight Rates
This is perfect for seniors who may have family members around during the day but not at night. In this case, they will need someone coming in at night to help them go to the bathroom, take medications, etc.
Patients with memory challenges, such as Dementia or Alzheimer’s, are likely to wander at night. They stand to benefit from nighttime care, especially because overnight rates are usually cheaper than daytime rates. This is because there aren’t usually as many responsibilities involved.
How to Choose an In-Home Care Service
In-home care is costly, and therefore you should spend some time doing some background checks before deciding to work with a company.
First, consider how long they have been in business and what customers are saying about them. Also look at their staff’s qualifications. For your own protection, find out if the staff is insured and what happens in the case of an accident. Lastly, find out if the in-home care specialists work under a qualified nurse or doctor.
Once you find the best service provider, the next thing you should do is arrange for payment. If you can afford it, it’s okay to pay out-of-pocket. Alternatively, you can pay through a third party such as an insurance agent. Medicare and Medicaid can offer help here, along with some non-governmental organizations.