Paying for in-home care often poses a challenge for many working families due to its high cost. However, in-home care is often necessary to help an aging parent or spouse stay in the home they love. Because of this, it is important to consider the cost of in-home care during estate planning.
There are certain health plans and types of long-term care insurance that offer a specific amount of coverage for home health care. You should contact your insurance provides to find out what is covered.
In-home care may be covered in these situations:
- Seniors who are homebound due to medical reasons can receive short-term skilled nursing care after a stay in a hospital or rehab facility may receive Medicare coverage. Visit http://www.medicare.gov/ for more information about Medicare.
- Low-income elders may qualify for Medicaid-funded in-home care services as an alternative to a traditional nursing home.
- Veterans of the U.S. military and their families may receive no cost in-home medical care. Find out if in-home care is covered under your veteran’s benefits.
When calling in-home care agencies, ask about their caregiver screening process. Does the agency run background checks on prospective caregivers? What type of education and experience is required? Are all caregivers bonded and insured? A legitimate in-home care agency should be ready and willing to provide answers to these questions.
In-home care helps an aging parent or spouse stay in their beloved home longer. Be sure to check independent caregivers or agencies in your area carefully.