Here are 100 frequently asked questions about home care, home health agencies, and hiring a home health aide:
Home Care
What is home care? Home care provides a certified home health aide to assist with personal care needs. These care needs can include bathing, dressing, meals, light housekeeping, laundry, ambulation, meal preparation, and transportation.
What are the benefits of home care? Home Care can assist with increasing safety in your loved one’s home. Home Care can prevent falls and hospitalization.
How do I know if I need home care? When you or your loved one starts having balance issues or falling, it is time for home care. When you or your loved one needs assistance with ambulation, toileting, dressing, and meal preparation, it is time for home care. If you or your loved one is forgetting to take their medications or eat healthy meals, it is time for home care.
What types of services are provided in home care? A certified home health aide assists with bathing, dressing, meals, light housekeeping, laundry, ambulation, meal preparation, and transportation. A registered nurse assists with care management in home care. A social worker assists with providing psychosocial support in home care.
Caregiver and senior lady looking at clipboard
Can I receive medical treatment at home? Home care nurses can assist with medical management in home care.
How do I find a home care provider? You can find a home care provider by searching private home care agencies and your town.
What is the difference between home care and home health care? There are no differences between home care and home health.
Can I receive home care if I live in an assisted living facility? You can receive home care if you live in an assisted living facility. Assisted living facilities do not typically provide one on one care, which is often necessary as you age.
How do I pay for home care? Ongoing home care is paid privately. Most long-term care insurance policies reimburse for home care.
Can I use Medicaid to pay for home care? You can use Medicaid for home care if you qualify under the regulations and if the provider accepts Medicaid.
Home Health Agency
What is a home health agency? A home health agency provides certified home health aides to assist clients with personal care needs.
What services do home health agencies provide? Home Health agencies services include bathing, dressing, meals, light housekeeping, laundry, ambulation, meal preparation, and transportation.
How do I choose a home health agency? You can choose a home health agency by contacting them and speaking to them about the services they provide, their rates, and what makes them different from other agencies. You can choose a home health agency by reading google reviews.
What qualifications do home health agency staff need? Home health agency staff need to employ certified home health aides that are supervised by registered nurses.
Are home health agencies regulated? Home health agencies are regulated by the Division of Consumer Affairs and their accreditation bodies.
Caregiver with hand over senior lady’s shoulder, both sitting down at table
Can I receive 24/7 care from a home health agency? You can receive 24/7 care from a home health agency. 24/7 care from a home health agency can be in the form of hourly caregivers or live in caregivers.
Can I use Medicare to pay for home health agency services? Medicare provides short-term home health care with a doctor’s order after a hospitalization or significant change in condition.
Do home health agencies provide medical equipment? Home health agencies do not provide medical equipment unless they have a durable medical equipment division.
Can I receive occupational therapy from a home health agency? Occupational therapy from a home health agency is provided with a doctor’s order, providing the agency accepts your insurance.
Hiring a Home Health Aide
What is a home health aide? A certified home health aide is an individual trained to assist you with your personal care needs.
What tasks can a home health aide perform? A home health aide can assist with tasks such as bathing, dressing, meals, light housekeeping, laundry, ambulation, meal preparation, and transportation.
How do I hire a home health aide? You can contact a private home care agency to hire a home health aide.
What qualifications should a home health aide have? A home health aide should be certified in the state where you reside.
Can I hire a home health aide privately? You should not hire a home health aide privately due to the risks involved with no liability insurance. You should not hire a home health aide privately, as they are often unreliable and can leave with no substitutions in place. You should not hire a home health aide privately as they are not working under the direction of a registered nurse.
caregiver and senior lady enjoying tea together
How do I train a home health aide? You do not need to train a home health aide if they work for an agency. An agency will train a home health aide and provide a care plan for the aide to follow in your home.
What is the difference between a home health aide and a CNA? A home health aide works in a private home, assisted living, or assists in a skilled nursing facility. A CNA can only work in a skilled nursing facility.
Can a home health aide administer medication? A home health aide can administer medication if it is prepared in a pill box.
How do I manage a home health aide? A home health aide is managed by the Registered Nurse at the home health agency.
Can I hire a home health aide for a loved one? You can hire a home health aide for your loved one by searching online for an agency that services your area.
Caregiving and Support
What is respite care? Respite care is care that is provided by a home health aide in your home to give the caregiver a break.
How do I become a caregiver? You can become a caregiver by completing a certified home health aide course in the state you would like to work in.
What support services are available for caregivers? Caregivers can receive support from local support groups. Caregivers can receive support from the home health agencies that they hire.
How do I manage caregiver burnout? You can manage caregiver burnout by hiring a home health aide to assist with daily care needs.
Can I receive financial support for caregiving? You may be eligible for financial support for caregiving through your local veterans or division on aging.
What is adult day care? Adult day care provides recreational activities and meals during the daytime hours.
caregivir and senior lady sitting down on bench at park
Can I receive caregiver training? If you receive home health aide assistance from an agency, the nurse can train caregivers to complete tasks in the safest manner.
How do I find caregiver resources in my area? You can find caregiver resources in your area by contacting your local division of aging.
What is caregiver support groups? Caregiver support groups to assist caregivers to help increase coping skills in dealing with caregiving responsibilities.
Can I hire a caregiver through an agency? You should hire a caregiver through an agency to ensure safety as they are licensed, bonded, and certified. You should hire a caregiver through an agency as the caregivers are supervised by a registered nurse.
Payment and Insurance
How do I pay for home care? Ongoing home care is paid privately or reimbursed by long -term care insurance.
Does Medicare cover home care? Medicare only covers short-term care that meets a skill that requires rehabilitation. Medicare does not cover custodial, long-term, personal care.
Does Medicaid cover home care? Medicaid pays for home care if you qualify under the regulations and if the provider accepts Medicaid.
Can I use private insurance to pay for home care? Private insurance pays for home care if you qualify under the regulations and if the provider accepts your private insurance. Private insurance does not pay for custodial, long-term, personal care.
What is the Veterans Administration Aid and Attendance benefit? The Veterans Administration Aid and Attendance benefit is a pension that is income and asset based to assist with paying for health care needs such as home care.
Can I use long-term care insurance to pay for home care? You can use long-term care insurance to pay for home care if your policy has a home care component to it.
How do I navigate the payment process for home care? You can navigate the process for home care by hiring an agency who will explain the billing process to you.
Are there any tax credits for home care? You can speak to your accountant regarding tax credits for home care.
Can I deduct home care expenses on my taxes? You can speak to your accountant regarding tax credits for home care.
How do I apply for financial assistance for home care? You can apply for financial assistance for home care through your local veteran’s administration or division on aging offices.
Safety and Quality
How do I ensure the quality of home care? You can ensure the quality of home care by reading reviews and asking questions about the agency’s accreditation status.
What are the safety risks of home care? There are minimal safety risks of home care. Home Care agencies that are licensed and certified have minimal safety risks.
How do I prevent falls in the home? You can prevent falls in the home by hiring a certified home health aide through a licensed agency.
What are the signs of elder abuse? Signs of elder abuse can include bruising from roughness or broken balls from frequent falls.
How do I report concerns about home care quality? You can report concerns about home care quality to the administrator of the home care or the local ombudsman.
Can I receive home care from a licensed agency? You can receive home care from a licensed agency by contacting a licensed agency and discussing your care needs.
man using laptop
How do I check the credentials of a home care provider? You can check the credentials of a home care provider by contacting their accrediting body.
What is the difference between licensed and unlicensed home care? The difference between licensed and unlicensed home care is that a licensed home care provider is adhering to stringent guidelines and policies to ensure safety in your home.
Can I receive home care from a certified agency? You can and should receive care from a certified agency only.
How do I evaluate the quality of a home health agency? You can ensure the quality of home care by reading reviews and asking questions about the agency’s accreditation status.
Technology and Home Care
What is telehealth? Telehealth is the use of electronic information and communication technologies to provide healthcare services at a distance.
How does telehealth work? Certain doctor’s offices provide telehealth as an option for homebound individuals.
Can I receive home care services through telehealth? You cannot receive home care services through telehealth.
What are the benefits of telehealth for home care? Telehealth is beneficial to individuals who use home care services and are not physically able to leave their home for a medical appointment.
Are there any risks associated with telehealth? There are risks associated with telehealth as there is no consistent in-home evaluation of the client by a certified home health aide or a registered nurse.
How do I access telehealth services? Certain doctor’s offices provide telehealth as an option for homebound individuals.
Can I use a tablet or smartphone for telehealth? You can use a tablet or smartphone for telehealth.
senior lady on videocall, writting down something on paper
What is remote patient monitoring? Remote health monitoring is a healthcare practice where medical providers use digital devices to monitor a patient’s health data outside of a traditional clinic setting,
Can I use wearable technology for home care? Wearable technology such as life alert devices are not a replacement for home care.
How does technology enhance home care services? Wearable technology can assist you when home care staff are not present in your home.
Home Modifications and Equipment
What home modifications can improve safety? Home modifications that can improve safety include grab bars, chair lifts, and ramps.
How do I make my home accessible? You can make your home accessible by adding grab bars, chair lifts, and ramps when needed.
What types of medical equipment are available for home use? There is a variety of medical equipment available for home use such as hospital beds, commodes, and wheelchairs.
Can I rent or buy medical equipment? You can most often rent or buy medical equipment.
How do I choose the right medical equipment? A home care nurse or physical therapist can assess what the right medical equipment is for you.
Can I receive financial assistance for home modifications? Some local divisions on aging resources provide financial assistance for home modification.
What are the benefits of using medical equipment at home? The benefits of using medical equipment at home are increasing the safety in the home by preventing falls.
senior lady grabing handle bar on bathroom
How do I maintain medical equipment? You can maintain medical equipment by contacting your provider if you see any wear or tear.
What are the safety risks associated with medical equipment? The safety risks associated with medical equipment are only indicated when you are not trained correctly.
Nutrition and Hydration
What are the nutritional needs of older adults? Older adults have specific nutritional needs depending on their health condition.
How do I ensure proper hydration? You can ensure proper hydration by hiring a certified home health agency to encourage fluids as needed.
Can I receive meal delivery services? You can receive meal delivery services by contacting your local division on aging.
What are the benefits of nutrition counseling? Nutritional counseling can benefit older adults to stay healthy and avoid hospitalization due to malnutrition.
How do I manage dietary restrictions? You can hire a certified home health aide to manage dietary restrictions and adequate nutrition.
Can I receive nutrition education? You can receive nutrition education through a registered dietitian or your medical doctor.
table with plate of healthy balanced food
Aging at Home
What are the benefits of aging at home? There are many benefits of aging at home which include increased quality of life.
How can I modify my home to make it age-friendly? You can modify your home to make it age-friendly by adding grab bars, chair- lifts, and ramps as needed.
What are the safety risks of aging at home? The safety risks of aging at home are increased when you do not hire certified home health aides and inadequate care is in place.
How can I prevent falls at home? You can prevent falls at home by hiring certified home health assistance.
What are the signs that I need help with daily tasks at home? Signs that you need help with daily tasks include forgetfulness, falls, and lack of energy to complete personal care needs.
How can I hire a home health aide to help with daily tasks? You can hire a home health aide to help with daily tasks by calling a licensed home health agency.
senior man reading a book
What are the costs of hiring a home health aide? Costs to hiring a home health aide vary by agency, location, and type of care.
Can I use Medicaid to pay for home care? You can use Medicaid to pay for home care if you qualify under the regulations and the agency accepts Medicaid.
How can I find home care services in my area? You find home care services in your area by searching for home cares by location.
What are the differences between home care and home health care? There are no differences between home care and home health.
Care for Parents
How can I care for my aging parents at home? You can care for your aging parents at home by hiring a certified home health aide to assist with personal care needs.
What are the signs that my parents need help with daily tasks? The signs that your parents need help with daily tasks include balance issues or falls, forgetfulness, and inability to complete tasks such as meal preparation and bathing.
How can I hire a home health aide to help care for my parents? You can hire a home health aide for your parents by searching online for a licensed home health agency located near you.
What are the costs of hiring a home health aide for my parents? Costs to hiring a home health aide for your parents vary by agency, location, and type of care.
Can I use Medicaid to pay for my parents’ home care? You can use Medicaid to pay for your parents’ home care if you qualify under the regulations and the agency accepts Medicaid.
senior couple enjoying family meeting
How can I find home care services for my parents in our area?You can find home care services for your parents by searching online for a licensed home health agency located near you.
What are the differences between home care and assisted living for my parents? The difference between home care and assisted living for your parents is that home care allows your parents to age in place in their own home with one to one care.
How can I manage my parents’ medications at home? You can manage your parents’ medications at home by hiring a certified home health aide to remind your parents to take their medication. You can manage your parents’ medications at home with the assistance of a registered nurse from a licensed home care agency.
What are the signs of caregiver burnout, and how can I prevent it? The signs of caregiver burnout include neglecting or having negative feelings towards caregiver duties. You can prevent caregiver burnout by hiring a certified home health aide to assist with daily care needs.
How can I find respite care for my parents? You can search for local certified home health agencies to find respite care for your parents.
