Four types of in-home care providers

 by ElderCarelink

Hiring an in-home care provider is a big decision for all parties concerned. Often times, the situation is approached from a "we'll try it -- once" angle, making finding the right home care aid of paramount importance.

When it comes time to make the choice of who to call, you've got a couple of options: non-medical home care and home health care.

Non-medical home refers to a series of non-medical services provide by caregivers, which could include help with daily living activities, transportation, providing medication reminders and more.

Home health care is a broad term that covers a gamut of health care services provided in the home. In most cases, home care is typically less expensive than receiving care in a nursing home (skilled nursing facility), a hospital, or assisted living facility.

Here's a breakdown of the most common kinds of in-home help available:

1. Companion homemakers. These folks are here to help you with chores around the house, not provide your parent or loved one with medical support. Cooking, cleaning, laundry, walking the dog, yard work -- think of companion homemakers as eager and willing helpers.

2. Home health aides. Home health aides give you a break from helping your parent or loved one with bathing, dressing, using the bathroom and other needs. They can be full-time, live-in or part-time, depending on your needs.

3. Therapists. Helping with physical issues, speech, emotional distress and a variety of other needs, therapists are more akin to doctors making house calls than they are to around-the-house helpers -- but when leaving home is an issue, homecare therapists fit the bill perfectly.

4. Registered nurses. A registered nurse (RN) is trained to provide skilled medical care to meet your parent or loved one's needs, whether that's on a part-time basis or full-time, live-in.

Are you considering home health care services for a loved one? Wondering if Medicare will pay for those services? If your loved one meets certain eligibility requirements, Medicare does pay for a range of health care services.

Medicare.gov (Official US Government Site for Medicare) 1-800-Medicare (1-800-633-4227). For specific questions about expenses, claims, etc., you can call Medicare.

Take the time to do your homework and due diligence before bringing in a professional to help your parent or loved one out around the house.