HOW MUCH DOES AN IN HOME CAREGIVER COST?

You start to notice little things when you visit your parents…the kitchen hasn’t been cleaned for days, you aren’t sure if they are taking their medicine, and the scariest…once the stove was still on. Maybe they need some help. Or maybe you already spend a lot of time helping them and you need a break. In-home care could really give you some peace-of-mind. However, you may be hesitant because you think you can’t afford it. Fortunately, there are many levels of home care and it may be more affordable than you think.

ElderCaring is an expert resource for home care and suggests that you consider the following:

Hourly rates can be more reasonable than you think – The cost of home care can vary greatly depending on where you live. Just because your friend in another town told you what she pays, it’s worth your time to call local agencies to find out the rates where you need the care. Because most in-home care is typically charged by the hour, you have some control over how much care to enlist. Some insurance plans will even cover part of the cost, so be sure to contact those companies as well to see what they provide.

How many hours do you actually need? – There is a considerable range in the kind of care available, from light housekeeping and companionship to full nursing services and/or live-in care. Take the time to speak with a few agencies about what you think your loved one needs. These experts should be able to help you narrow down exactly the level of caregiver and amount of time they would need to be available.

Compare to the cost of a facility – Recent research found that the national average cost of care for a nursing home is approximately five times more than daily in-home care. Assisted living facilities are more than twice as much. If your loved one can remain at home as long as possible with some daily (or even overnight help), it can save you a lot of money.

Cost of being able to live at home? – When comparing wishes, the cost is priceless. Most people want to remain in their own home as long as possible. Fortunately, because of the different possibilities for home care, your loved one could potentially be able to live at home as long as they prefer.

Does insurance cover care? – For those who have a Long Term Care Insurance policy, non-medical home care is often covered. Become familiar with the policy, the type of home care coverage and number of days before the benefits start.

Especially if you need non-medical in-home care, a daily companion caregiver can be affordable and help you worry less about your senior loved ones. Some of the most qualified and experienced caregivers are in the ElderCaring registry and they can provide a number of non-medical services to assist your loved one with daily activities, including social support, bathing, dressing and personal hygiene, cleaning laundry and bed linens, dietary needs, medication reminders, or just a break for the family or primary caregiver.

Finding the best caregiver is important. The caregivers referred by ElderCaring provide quality home care services at an affordable all-inclusive rate. The hours and services are flexible and catered to your specific needs to ensure that your loved one can continue to live comfortably and independently for as long as possible.

ElderCaring is a family owned business operating since 2001 with locations in Washington D.C., Virginia and Southern California. They have been members since August of 2011.