Home health care is often seen a the solution to assist aging parents and the elderly in activities of daily living. No doubt home care has a place but it may be playing a much bigger role than it should.
Serious questions need to be asked before you take the plunge like understanding what incentives they have to keep you or a loved one independent. Home care is a huge area for fraud and a quick way to deplete financial resources. There is almost no regulations and if you are private pay there is nothing.
What has taken place in other areas to improve health care?
Take a look at what the government has done to improve patient safety in hospitals under Medicare. October 2008 they stopped paying for events like falls and infections which is helping to reduce these events thus improving patient safety. Hospitals are now learning how to prevent falls and infections because they have an incentive to do so.
What incentives does home health care have in promoting your independence?
None, especially if you are private pay.
For example: Why would they tell the client about mobility or adaptive aids that could allow them to perform the activity on their own. It would reduce the need for services.
Other Possible Solutions:
There are adaptive solutions to some services that are often overlooked. For example: Bathing needs.
A woman needed someone to help her mother bathe because she would not get in and out of the shower. Washing private parts was also a concern. The minimum cost was $40 per visit. If, you do this twice a week (likely a minimum) that's $80 then multiply by 52 weeks that equals: $4,160 per year.
A home modification like a walk in tub could alleviate need for home care in this example. Sometimes family members ha You could then have a nurse or other qualified professional come in and give you a lesson on how to help the person wash their private parts to alleviate that concern.
Insurance and long term care:
Often long term care insurance will pay for home modifications since they can be far less costly than the alternative.
In Conclusion:
Alternatives are often overlooked that offer more autonomy, independence, well-being and reduce caregiver stress. They can also help stop the financial drain by paying for themselves quickly.
Little value has been put on quality mobility and adaptive aids along with providers lack of knowledge. Often multiple aids or solutions are needed to solve the needs of daily living. Right now many needs are not getting properly addressed. Many are getting partial solutions and unable to complete tasks that they otherwise could if addressed properly.
Visit: Elder Care, Aging Parents & Mobility Aids For Caregiving
This link will help you understand how multiple aids are needed but often overlooked.
Updated July 22, 2009