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Private Duty Home Care for Seniors

Loss of Independence or the Last Step to Maintain Independence?

 

By John Graham, BrightStar Healthcare

President, 205-868-2996

 

Having a private duty caregiver come into the home to assist a senior can be a great way to delay or eliminate the need for the eventual move to an assisted living facility or nursing home. This option allows the senior to stay in their homes longer and continue to maintain a more indepen­dent lifestyle with personalized help from a caregiver.

 

Seniors want to stay at home as long as possible. This option provides the op­portunity to extend the amount of time someone has at home with family and friends, near their life’s possessions, enjoying hobbies in a familiar and safe environment.

 

It is important to note the difference between “Home Health” and “Private Duty Home Care”.  Home Health is a term typically associated with a Medicare benefit following hospitalization in which an agency provides temporary, limited visits in the home during recovery.  Private Duty Home Care is a permanent service provided to anyone, anywhere on a private-pay basis, and can be either “Medical and Non-Medical” or only “Non-Medical”.

 

Companies offering “Non-Medical” care include help in companionship, light housekeeping, meal preparation and transportation.  Other companies offer more “Medical” care such as assistance with activities of daily living (bathing, dressing, toileting, ambulation, and eating).  For seniors who have more advanced care needs, the “Medical” option of having skilled nursing in the home is also available.  All levels of care are available to fit your schedule 24/7.  Brightstar Healthcare is one of the few Birmingham companies that offers both “Medical and Non-Medical” In Home Care.

 

Essentially, private duty home care allows seniors to continue to live and age in place in their own home. Delaying or eliminating the need to move into a facility keeps them hap­pier and will save money for future medical or long term care costs. Private duty home care is not the right answer in every situation but it should be a consider­ation as an option with very positive benefits.

Comments

[Living Wills]

Thanks for posting this interesting article. Private duty home care is increasing in important and I think this article should help a lot of people!