My favorite kind of senior citizen is the one who is self aware enough to realize that he/she/they can no longer live alone and might benefit from considering other options. This is very rare unicorn, indeed. It usually takes a crisis for this realization to come about. It’s not often uttered, “I’m 78 now, in perfect health, I think I might like to downsize my life a little so as not to burden my family in the case that something will happen in the next few years.”
No, the decision to do anything at all is usually considered after a health crisis, an emergency department visit followed by a stay in a local short term rehab. Those of us who have aging parents or grandparents that we care for can relate to the crisis mode.
There’s a huge generation of baby boomers that are quickly reaching this critical age. And like their parents before them, they will most likely want to stay home. Most want to stay independent and in their own homes.
So where’s the line and when do you help your love one decide? Some folks really need to sell the house in order to be able to afford the increasing prices of care and it’s good to have a general understanding of your loved one’s finances before there’s a need. Some can afford to stay at home and hire some help. It depends mostly on finances and the iron clad will of your aging loved one. If they are up for exploring community options, then start early, spread a wide net and try not to make a decision in a crisis.
If you’re already in crisis, home care might be the immediate option to help get through. Many home care companies have a minimum of hours they are willing to take on. This is because it’s not worth it for the caregiver to show up for one hour of pay and if you look at it from that standpoint it’s understandable.
Not all home care companies are created equal as I used to think. Some are private owned and licensed and some are part of a larger franchise which means they have a limitation of zip code. There are often home care companies tied to larger health care organizations also, which usually have a huge corporate umbrella.
I would recommend smaller, family owned businesses because the owner will have a personal stake in the care and customer service where the larger companies with national branches might have several layers of corporate to press through. With a smaller company you will often deal directly with the owner who has a personal understanding of the caregivers and their personalities to better serve you and your loved one.
If you are looking for a home care company, ask your friends, family, and neighbors for recommendations. The best referrals will come from someone who has a personal relationship or experience with a company and doesn’t get any financial gain from referring. Anything from a provider will most likely be tainted by who they partner with and you might not have the best experience. Friends shouldn’t steer you wrong.
If your loved one is low income and on Medicaid, depending on the state, they may be eligible for waiver program which can provide some home care services for free. This sounds great, but keep in mind that Medicaid pays a lot less than a living wage for the caregivers, and many companies that offer private pay are not taking waiver programs anymore because it’s not financially feasible. This is incredibly sad for low income seniors. I won’t go into details, but just be sure to check in on your low income family to ensure that they are getting the care that they need. And like any government funded program, it’s difficult to qualify and requires time and red tape.
The bottom line is that home care is the future for most of our aging parents, either because they can’t afford to move into assisted living or they refuse to leave their homes. Be savvy in your shopping and if in doubt, you can always reach out to your local office on aging for resources, especially if you need to apply for Medicaid.
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