Many people caring for a family member or friend need help. The services you need may change over time as the needs of the person you are caring for changes. While some services are free, others are fee-based and the fees may vary based on your resources. Be sure to ask how the fees are determined and whether or not they are covered by insurance. In-home and community-based services you might find helpful include:
Home Health Care
There must be a medical need to receive home health care. Home health care includes skilled nursing care, as well as other skilled care services, like physical and occupational therapy, speech- language therapy, and medical social services. These services are given by a variety of skilled health care professionals at home. The goal of short-term home health care is to provide treatment for an illness or injury. Ask the doctor if your family member or friend is eligible for these services.
For information about home health agencies in your area:
For more about home health care:
Medicare usually pays for home health care services for two or three hours a day, several days a week, and for the medical care provided by a doctor, nurse, or other health professional. Please note, such care tends to be for a limited time.
If the person for whom you are caring has a limited income and assets, he or she may be able to receive home health care, personal care, or hospice services as well as occupational, physical, or speech therapy through Medicaid (a federal-state program, administered by CMS at the federal level). Some older persons with limited assets and income are eligible for help through both the Medicare and the Medicaid programs. If this is the case, your family member or friend may be able to obtain personal and/or home health care services on a long-term basis instead of being cared for in an extended care facility. Otherwise, in-home and community-based services may be available through an Area Agency on Aging.
Middle and higher-income persons often pay out-of-pocket for personal and home health care services. If you hire staff through a home care agency, ask the agency how they screen their staff and if staff is bonded. Agencies charge you for the costs of doing business; i.e., for management, administration, and recruiting workers. This can be quite expensive, but there are ways to make help more affordable. For example, you can explore the possibility of directly hiring a personal or home health care assistant. If you choose to hire help, be sure to check their qualifications and references carefully. Remember, you will then be an employer, and you may need to cover Social Security and other benefits.
Respite Care
Respite care can be a voluntary or paid service. It can be provided in your family member's or friend's home, in an extended care facility, such as a nursing home, or at a senior center or adult day care center. Respite care can extend for a few hours or for several weeks. It provides the caregiver with opportunities to take care of personal affairs, to get some rest, or to take a break from the routine of caring for someone.
For more information about the importance of respite for caregivers.
Transportation
Transportation services are vitally important to people with limited mobility. Transportation enables them to go to their doctors, to the pharmacy, and to attend to day-to-day activities.
Many public mass transit systems are fitting buses and other vehicles with lifts and other aids to assist those with limited mobility. Transportation options may also be available through private companies and private non-profit organizations. These include public fixed-route, demand-response, ride sharing, volunteer drivers, limousines, buses, vans, and regular and special purpose taxis. Some services provide an escort to assist with errands or trips.
To arrange transportation for an older person in your community, contact your local Area Agency on Aging (listed under “aging,” “elderly,” or “senior services” in the government section of your telephone directory. Area Agencies on Aging provide older persons and their caregivers with specific information and assistance in getting transportation and other supportive services in the community.
Meal Programs
Good nutrition can help to improve health and control a range of conditions and diseases. The National Elderly Nutrition Program, funded by the Administration on Aging, provides meals to older persons in need and their spouses. Older persons who participate in the group meal program have an opportunity to socialize, receive nutrition education, and take part in other activities, including health screenings.
Elderly persons who are ill or frail may be able to receive a government-subsidized home- delivered meal. To find out about home-delivered meals programs and other meals programs, please contact the National Eldercare Locator or your State or Area Agency on Aging.
If these meals are not available, see if your grocery store prepares food orders for pick-up or if it provides home-delivery service. A growing number of grocery and meal services are available via the Internet including some that offer organic, ethnic and kosher foods. Many local restaurants deliver meals without additional charge and some even offer senior discounts on meals. A growing number of restaurants offer special low-fat and low-salt meals. There also are local and national franchised meals delivery services. These are listed in the yellow pages of the telephone directory under “foods-take out” and some can be found on the Internet.
Cleaning and Yard Work Services
Your local Area Agency on Aging may be able arrange for chore and yard maintenance services or put you in touch with religious, scout or other volunteer groups that provide one-time or occasional services to older persons who need help.
Senior Centers
Senior Centers offer older people a safe environment where they can take part in a range of activities led by trained personnel that promote healthy lifestyles and where they can develop a network of friends.
Meal and nutrition programs, information and assistance, health and wellness programs, recreational and arts programs, transportation services, volunteer opportunities, educational opportunities, employee assistance, intergenerational programs, social and community action opportunities and other special services are often available through a senior center.
Adult Day Care Services
For older persons with serious limitations in their mobility, those who are frail, and those who have medical and cognitive problems, adult day care centers can provide care in a safe, structured environment. Adult day care can provide relief to working caregivers and respite for full-time caregivers. Adult day care services include personal and nursing care, congregate meals, therapeutic exercises, and social and recreational activities.
Most adult day care centers, like senior centers, are supported through public and non-profit organizations. Fees may range from a few dollars to several hundred dollars a day, depending on the services needed. The National Adult Day Services Association maintains a directory of adult day care centers and links to other related sites.
Home Health Aides and Hired Caregivers
Home Health Aides help with personal care such as bathing and dressing, as well as other activities of daily living including preparing meals, light house cleaning, laundry, and other daily activities. Hired caregivers can also offer companionship and friendship through engaging in favorite activities such as letter writing, reading, and playing cards. Through their care and time, hired caregivers are also providing respite to loved ones that may be caring for the person by giving them time to take a break.
Maintain a healthy balance between caregiving and your personal needs.
As you may have experienced, caring for a family member or friend is not easy, nor is it something most of us are prepared to do. Like most people, you’ve probably had questions about your family member or friend’s illness or condition, and have spent time finding answers to those questions.
Now that you’ve learned about the basics of caregiving, and better understand how to provide care, there may still be times when you feel overwhelmed or unable to care for your family member’s or friend’s needs. The next section will give you information and practical tips for managing the stress of being a caregiver by attending to your personal needs. Though they may seem selfish, these ideas will help you continue to provide care for as long as your family member or friend requires it.
