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Did you know that at least 70% of older adults in the US prefer private home care services?
Private home care support for seniors has been growing increasingly popular as a care type over the last decade, and rightly so! When you can age graciously and be compassionately cared for in the comforts of your home, you can reclaim a sense of independence.
Let us embark on a journey to see what private care at home looks like and what makes it so demanding as a care type for seniors across America.
How private home care differs from nursing care?
Home care has always been a pillar of personalized support for older adults. It combines some of the best features of senior care, like assisted living and memory care. Private in-home care services offer a more transformative approach to caring for older adults in their own homes.
Now while that may feel similar to nursing care, here are the critical difference:
1. Atmosphere: Private home care allows seniors to receive assistance and medical care (medication management, for example) in their home’s familiar and relaxed environment. A nursing home, on the other hand, provides a standard living setting with round-the-clock care and supervision.
2. Independence: Home care can be seen as private nursing care at home. It combines the best of independent living and nursing home services in the comforts of your abode. This means you maintain control over your activities of daily living while being cared for by trained professionals. There is no strict structure or schedule to follow as in nursing homes.
3. Adaptive care: Depending on the level of care, home care can be adaptive to each older adult’s specific needs and preferences. Caregivers can provide one-on-one attention, focusing on the unique requirements of the senior. While nursing homes provide care to a larger group of residents, which may often limit the level of individualized attention.
4. Familiarity and comfort: No place is like home, especially if you have lived in one for over 30 years. Private home care allows seniors to remain in a familiar and comfortable environment, surrounded by their cherished belongings and memories. Nursing homes may require seniors to adapt to a new living space and adjust to a communal setting.
5. Cost: Private home care can be a more cost-effective option than nursing homes, as the care is provided hourly. Nursing home care involves higher prices due to the 24/7 care, accommodation, and additional services offered. If you look at Genworth’s cost of senior care as per state/city, nursing homes, on average, are around $9,000 or higher.
Did you know?
Many individuals receiving home care services in the United States are aged 65 and above. Statistics show that around 97% of them need assistance with bathing, while 91% require help transferring in and out of bed.
They can be either in the form of primary home care or even private home health care. Why not read the following articles to learn more about the different types of home care services?
What are private home care agencies like?
Well, over 426,000 private home care providers are listed in the US (2023). Depending on the level of care being provided, it is safe to say the general services you are looking at when it comes to home care. Such as:
- Nursing visits: Skilled nursing care provided at home.
- Medication management: Assistance with medication management.
- Therapy services: Physical, occupational, respiratory, and speech therapy at home.
- Home health aide services: Personal care assistance with bathing, dressing, eating, and mobility.
- Homemaker/companion services: Companionship, housekeeping, shopping, meal preparation, outings.
- Nutritional guidance: Expert advice and guidance on dietary needs, including meal plans.
- Medical social services: Support for emotional and social needs.
- Medical equipment and supplies: Provision of necessary medical equipment and supplies.
Some of the listed services are common for other care types. But for a deeper dive into what you bring home, here is what you need to know!
1. Screening and training
Home care agencies meticulously screen and select their caregivers, ensuring they possess the right qualifications, experience, and, most importantly, compassion. Thorough background checks, reference verification, and interviews help build a group of talented and qualified individuals.
2. Caregiver-client matching
Home care providers aim to create a prosperous match between caregivers and clients. They consider personal preferences, care needs (including the level of care), and compatibility to nurture a trusting and fulfilling relationship. This modified approach promotes a sense of companionship, trust, and mutual understanding.
3. Administrative support
From scheduling and billing to ongoing supervision, home care agencies handle the administrative aspects, giving families time to focus on their loved one’s well-being. This support helps provide a seamless experience, ensuring that families receive reliable assistance and coordination of care services.
Top private home care providers in America
Finding the right home care provider can often feel like looking for a needle in a haystack. It becomes even more difficult because almost every home care agency in America strives to bring the ultimate care experience to seniors.
What can differentiate the level between good and great is undoubtedly the level of care or facilities they provide. For example, some home care agencies may provide services for seniors with dementia or those who have cancer.
As seniors and their families search for incomparable home care services, several distinguished providers in the US have earned acclaim for their commitment. Furthermore, they have operations in almost every state and city/town across America.
Please read below to learn all about the top home care providers in the US (and what makes them some of the best)!
Families looking for private caregivers
If you are seeking private caregivers for yourself or your loved one, navigating through the vast options of the home care landscape in America can be exciting but also daunting. You may consider the following methods to find the proper home care that fits your requirement:
1. Online platforms
Social media is not about dancing, selfies, or edited trending tracks. It can be one of the best search and review places. Explore reputable online platforms like Facebook to search for private caregivers (including home care agency reviews) that connect families with qualified caregivers. Such media can offer comprehensive profiles, enabling families to review caregiver qualifications, experience, and references, to help make an informed decision.
2. Referral networks
You can look for recommendations from trusted sources, such as healthcare professionals, friends, and family networks who may have had positive experiences with private caregivers. Referral networks can also be in the form of online platforms like BoomersHub, which can provide valuable insights and recommendations through free consultations.
3. Local community resources
Engage with community resources, such as senior centers, support groups, and even aging agencies. These organizations often have resources and information about private caregivers, offering direction and assistance in connecting families with trustworthy caregivers.
Why not read the following article, as it may be helpful on how to pay for home care in the US?
Final thoughts
As the demand for home care continues to rise in America, the grounds for ensuring it becomes the best form of care for older adults will become solid. With a diverse range of services, dedicated caregivers provide to nurture compassion and enhance well-being, the picture of private home care in America can only get even more vibrant in the coming years.
Have a look at the following pieces to see how home care fares in the following locations!
- Home care providers in Texas
- Best Boston home care agencies
- Home care: Best of Michigan has to offer
- Top home care agencies in Florida
FAQs
What are the 3 types of care?
There are many types of care depending on the requirement of older adults. For instance, respite care, live-in care, and personal care are the main types that fall under home care.
- Respite care provides short-term relief for caregivers.
- Live-in care involves a caregiver living with the senior.
- Personal care involves helping with daily living activities, including companionship.
What is the most common home care service?
The most common home care service is known as personal care. This includes assistance with bathing, grooming, dressing, meal preparation, medication reminders, and mobility assistance. It aims to support individuals with their daily activities and help them maintain their independence at home.
What is home and personal care?
Home and personal care often refers to the services caregivers provide in a person’s home. It covers support with bathing, grooming, toileting, meal preparation, and medication supervision.
How do I find a live-in caregiver?
To find a live-in caregiver, you can start by exploring top and affordable home care agencies that provide live-in care services for seniors. They can match you with a qualified caregiver living in your home and providing 24/7 assistance. It’s important to comprehensively evaluate the agency and caregiver by reviewing their qualifications, capability, and references.
