Community Services That Help with Caregiving
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2003-09-01 00:00:00-04:00
Many older people prefer to stay at home - even when their needs for care are great. Consider these common situations:
- After breaking her hip, your mother has trouble getting around.
- The doctors say your father has Alzheimer ' s disease.
- Your aunt decides not to have further treatment for her cancer, and she ' s not expected to live more than six months.
- Your uncle isn ' t eating well, and he can ' t manage his medicine.
With the growing numbers of older people who need support to live on their own, private and public organizations are now offering a variety of services in the home and the community. These options are often referred to as "home and community-based services."
Caregivers must handle both the practical and emotional aspects of caring. Since no two people have the same needs, it is comforting to know that in many communities there are a variety of services and living arrangements available.
Help at Home
Home and Personal Care. Home care aides do chores such as cleaning the house, grocery chopping, or laundry. Personal care is non-medical help with such activities of daily living (sometimes called "ADLs") as bathing, dressing, or using the toilet. Home repair services help with basic upkeep of the home, as well as minor changes to make it secure and safe. Installing grab bars in bathrooms, special seats in the shower, or ramps for a wheelchair can make it easier to live at home.
Meal Services. Home-delivered meal programs offer nutritional meals to those who can no longer shop for groceries or cook. Many Senior centers offer lunch and the opportunity to eat with other people.
Companion and Telephone Reassurance Services. Volunteers make regular visits or phone calls to older adults who can't get out of the house. The volunteer checks on the person and keeps him or her company, providing regular contact for older people who are alone.
Home Observation. Some communities train mail carriers or utility workers to spot signs of trouble at the homes of older adults. When they have concerns, such as mail or trash piling up, they report it to an agency that checks on the older person.
Home Health Care. Home health care meets health care needs prescribed by a physician and provided by licensed professionals. This includes skilled nursing care, personal care, rehabilitative therapy, giving medicine, wound care, and medical help.
Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS). A PERS is a simple device worn by a person to call for help in emergencies. When the user pushes the button on the PERS, it sends a message to a hospital or police station. Someone then checks on the person.
Hospice Care. Hospice services include medical care, counseling, and pain control for terminally ill patients and their families. Hospice services are usually provided in patients' homes. They help the entire family, caregivers and the patient cope with issues related to the terminal illness.
Help in the Community
Senior Centers. Many communities offer a variety of activities in centers designed for older adults. These include recreation programs, social activities, health screenings and meals.
Transportation. Many communities provide transportation to medical appointments, senior centers, or shopping. These services are usually free. Some may have a small fee. Other transportation services, such as discount taxi programs, van services or volunteer drivers are often available, too.
Adult Day Centers. For the older person who needs supervised assistance, these centers offer many services in a group setting. Services may include health care, recreation, meals and rehabilitative therapy. These centers meet the needs of people with mental or physical limitations. While there us usually a cost, many offer sliding rate scales or some financial assistance.
Respite Care. Respite care provides time off for family members who care for someone who is ill, injured or frail. It can take place in an adult day center, in the home of the person being cared for, or even in a residential setting such as an assisted living facility or nursing home.
Paying for Services
Medicare. This program provides medical coverage for most people over the age of 65. Medicare covers limited skilled nursing home care and home care benefits.
Medicaid. A state and federally funded program to help people with low incomes pay for medical care. Medicaid may help pay for nursing home care and sometimes services at home. It's important to check with your local Medicaid office for eligibility.
Private Long-Term Care Insurance. This type of insurance pays for care in nursing homes, assisted living and/or home care, depending on the policy. The older you are when you purchase your coverage, the higher your costs. It is not affordable for some.
AARP Resources
Understanding Medicare, Medigap, and Medicaid
AARP The Magazine explains the differences between these three medical insurance programs.
A Home for all Ages
Modifications you can make to a house to make it "user-friendly" for young, middle-aged, and old alike.
Additional Resources
Medicare
The U.S. government Web site for people on Medicare has answers for all your Medicare questions.
Eldercare Locator
The U.S. Administration on Aging can help you find local services.
Benefits Checkup.org
Answer a few confidential questions and this database tells you which federal, state, and local programs you might be eligible for and how to apply. The site is provided by the National Council on Aging. AARP is a national outreach partner for the site.
National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers
This Web site can help you locate a geriatric care manager who can oversee your parents' care
Books
"How to Care for Aging Parents: A Complete Guide," Virginia Morris, Foreword by Robert Butler, Workman Publishing Co., 1996.
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