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A need that ranks high for older adults and family caregivers, in-home personal care. However, how many of you can afford to pay $25 an hour and in some cases, $30 or more, 2 to 4 hours a day minimum?
When a person requires extra help around the house, it's the first service we contact, next to calling a son or daughter. Consumers believe it's the least expensive type of care since it's received at home over moving to an assisted living or nursing home.
Personal care is a valuable resource for people living with a disability, an injury, recuperating from surgery or is suffering from a chronic illness. The services received includes help with laundry, bathing, meal preparation, errands, and light transportation. And if you're a family caregiver, it's the best form of respite.
Resistance to the costs of in-home care continue to challenge providers and addressing the resistance is key for agencies to successfully serve those in need. So, I asked the Aging Council Experts at Seniorcare.com , how can home care providers adapt current services to meet the demand of low-cost?
"The family can take steps to save money on care by creating a schedule of visits among siblings, shop online for products and schedule auto-delivery, share post-care information with family, and determine roles for each sibling." Rhonda Harper, PenroseSeniorCareAuditors.com .
"Have discussions with siblings and others about the needs of a loved one before they become acute. This way everyone is on the same page and that establishes communication. Ask for help; know the available resources, stay in touch with your social network, and take care of your health.This process will help save time and money" Anthony Cirillo, TheAgingExperience.com .
Related: How Solo Agers Are Navigating Decisions for Their Future
"Providers should speak to the primary caregiver and always send a re-cap of the goals and plans, stay connected with family by reporting who is doing what/when for the care recipient, and send updates with notes and phone numbers." Kim Crawford, M.D., Age Well Solutions.
"Agencies might clarify and discuss in-depth how they compliment family care and that they don't equate to "only for the ill" need us, perception that most consumers still believe." Marie Senizaiz Sierra, CaregiverCoachMarie.com .
"Research expert resources (i.e. familycaregivercouncil.com), including technology and transportation services, and in-home care options, make self-care a priority to reduce stress and prevent caregiver burnout, ask for support, talk with family members early on about how they can assist, and accept help when offered, prepare financially, saving for potential expenses." David Inns, GreatCall.com .