Caregiving Around the Clock
aging in place is an available option
by Annette Pinder
According to the National Alliance for Caregiving, about 78 million family members currently provide unpaid care to adults or children, of which 15.7 million are caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia. The National Institute on Aging states that 75 percent of all family caregivers are women often working full time jobs and raising children of their own.
This year’s theme for celebrating National Caregiving Month in November is “Caregiving Around the Clock,” highlighting the demands placed on caregivers to be available 24/7.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the majority of older people want to “age in place, rather than in a skilled nursing facility.” Fortunately, this is entirely possible. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services states that, “Many health care treatments once offered only in a hospital or doctor’s office can now be provided in the home, where care is often less expensive, more convenient, and as effective as care received at a hospital or skilled nursing facility.”
Fortunately, Medicare and Medicaid provide reimbursement for home health care services if individuals meet certain eligibility criteria, and if the services they need are considered reasonable and necessary. NIH states that “Medicare recipients can use their home health benefits if they are under the care of a doctor and getting services under a plan of care established and reviewed by a doctor; and if they need, and a doctor certifies that they require intermittent skilled nursing care, physical therapy, speech language pathology services, and continuous occupational therapy.” Additionally, the home health care agency chosen must be Medicare-certified.
Individuals can also receive home health care benefits if a doctor certifies that they are homebound and cannot leave their home without the help of a cane, wheelchair, walker, or crutches; if they require special transportation; help from another person; or leaving their home is very difficult. Individuals are, of course, permitted to leave home for doctor appointments, religious services, adult day care, and other unique and infrequent events.
One option to those wishing to remain at home is the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP). Through CDPAP, the patient or his or her representative can hire and train almost anyone 18 years or older (family, friends, neighbors) as a personal assistant to provide their care. CDPAP assistants help with bathing, dressing, grooming, meal prep, ambulation, medications, nursing tasks, errands, light housekeeping, accompany patients to medical appointments, and more.
Health Force is a local Medicaid-certified and New York State Department of Health licensed home health agency that accepts most insurances offering many home and community care options, for as little as a few hours a day or week, to round-the-clock care. Health Force also participates in TBI and Nursing Home Transition Diversion waiver programs, allowing individuals to remain in their homes safely in Niagara, Erie, Genesee, Chautauqua, and Cattaraugus counties.
Learn more about home health options and assistance in working with you, your loved one, and their insurance provider by calling Health Force at 716-855-CARE (2273) and visiting www.healthforcewny.com.
