We were invited to write a series of brief articles for the monthly newsletter of our friends at MDK Insurance Services, describing the continuum of long term care, and how to navigate oneself through it. You can sign up for the newsletter on their website, and each month we will provide a copy of the article here as well. Please share the information with someone you know who is thinking ahead about how to plan for (and pay for) their own or a loved one's long term care.
Volume III: At-Home Care Options
It's Father's Day. Are you thinking ahead about how to meet Dad's needs as he grows older? Or your own? After you've taken an honest look at your needs, it's time to consider the options.
Most individuals state that they wish to remain at home for as long as possible, and there are many service to help them achieve this goal. Health insurance does not over the cost of most care at home, which is paid for privately, or through a long term care insurance policy. Non-medical in-home care providers can be hired for assistance with the basic and instrumental activities of daily living, such as bathing safely, preparing nutritious meals, and transportation. In-home meal delivery programs (which have come a long way since their bland beginnings) often serve double-duty as a daily check on a senior living alone at home. Simple home modifications such as strategically placed grab bars, or durable medical equipment such as elevated commode seats can make a home more accessible to a disabled person. Personal emergency response systems are an essential safety net for many.
A common obstacle to bringing in home-based services is the myth of independence: "I don't want anyone in my home." It may help to realize that we are all actually interdependent upon one another throughout our lives, and this doesn't change as we grow old. The particulars of the needs may change, but we continue to be needed by others at every age, and we continue to need them as well.
This is only a brief introduction to the extensive in-home services that are available. To locate resources in your area, visit the national Eldercare Locator: http://www.eldercare.gov/. Next month we'll describe additional professional services that are available for managing care at home, and then we'll begin to explore community-based options.
