Home care is one of the most comprehensive solutions to a healthcare problem because it provides a unique care plan that is completely tailored to a patient’s individual needs, rather than a one size fits all approach that is often offered at medical facilities. Homecare finds ways to solve the problem and works to teach family members how to provide care for their loved ones in the home if a caregiver is not present or available. It opens the family up to the resources in their communities that will be able to assist their loved one to function at their highest level and in some cases better than where the individual was prior to hospitalization. For example, patients and family members are taught how to do procedures such as uncomplicated wound care and home exercises for increased range of motion.

This is simply not true. Home care that is provided by professional caregivers often supplements other care arrangements and helps to ensure that the patient receives the care they need and deserve. Having a caregiver around also ensures that any instructions from doctors or other medical staff are followed as closely as possible to ensure the best possible outcome. Rather than viewing home care as a stand-alone replacement for other care options, home care services should be viewed as a supplemental way of meeting people's individual care needs and wants, regardless of where or when services are provided or who else is involved in the care process.

There are actually many ways for seniors to afford quality home care and in many cases is less expensive and more affordable than senior living facilities or medical centers. New programs that are available to seniors and the aging community, such as reverse mortgages, VA benefits, long-term care insurance, and access to state and local programs such as Medicaid, are allowing more families to be able to afford quality home care for their loved one. There are programs that are available and options that people have that they may be unaware of. This is why we always suggest speaking with a trained expert to learn more about the available options and resources in the community.

This is not the case for many families. If the individual requiring homecare services has medical issues that require health care throughout the day, a nursing home may be the right option. However, most seniors require assistance for a few hours each day and many times the assistance that is needed can be classified as non-medical. People who require care often want to live out their life in their own homes and do not want to feel like they have to choose between the health care that they need and the life that they’ve built for themselves. Studies have also shown that in home care is actually better in many cases, like when dealing with dementia cases because familiarity is so important to these types of patients.