Assisted Living Articles » Considering your options
About in-home care providers
Whether you're interested in having someone come for just a one-hour visit, or whether you're in need of live-in care, in-home agencies can meet the changing needs of individuals with personal care needs or with dementia, without necessarily requiring a change of living situation.
The first thought many people have when the need arises for help in the home is,"I'll find someone that can live with my mom/dad and simply exchange rent for their services." Although this sort of trade of services was common twenty years ago, it likely won't work in today's economy. People with dementia rarely need someone just to live in their home - they need a great deal of personal care and a diligent eye - many times 24-hours a day.
The next thought may be, "I'll place an ad in the paper and find someone to work for $10 an hour." The only problem with this is that you've now started your own, part-time business. Operating a business requires training, supervising, paying taxes, etc. This isn't what most people want to do!
So, what's the alternative? The option thousands of families are choosing is to arrange for care through an in-home care provider. In our area there are different levels of providers ranging from skilled, professional providers to non-medical chore-type staff. Prices range from $15 to $135 an hour, based on the skill set of the agency you're hiring, the types of benefits the agency is paying to their staff members, and the types of services you need for your family member. Rates also vary based on the regularity of scheduling and amount of coverage you desire.
Home Health Care Agencies
This is the highest level of in-home care licensed in the State of Washington. These providers may be Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, therapists or well-trained health care providers. These individuals provide hands-on care, inclusive of nursing tasks. They may offer chore-type services, or they may have a partner agency or separate in-house agency that offers such services.
Home Care Agencies
This type of agency provides non-medical assistance, but likely helps older adults with almost all of their activity of daily living needs. They provide bathing assistance, medication reminders, assistance with toileting, dressing, grooming and other personal needs. They also likely provide light housekeeping, cooking and other chore-related services. Agencies that employ their staff, rather than working with subcontractors, are likely to charge a bit higher hourly fee to cover employee taxes and possibly benefits.
Chore or Companion Services
This type of agency is likely a non-licensed agency with the state of Washington. They provide little or no hands-on care. Chore providers perform household duties, watch out after someone with dementia and act more as a "watchful eye" and companion to an older adult.
Families benefit from selecting the right agency to meet their own specific and unique needs. CHOICE Advisory Services, Inc. can provide you with assistance in defining which in-home providers will be of most interest to you. By advertising in this directory, the agencies listed in this directory are letting you know that they have interest in working with you and that they have a passion for serving people older adults. Please call upon these agencies to help you - even if it's only to give you a bit of a rest from the task of being the primary caregiver for your loved one.
Call 800-361-0138 for help in choosing a provider.
Last update: 2007-05-03 23:20
Author: Tech Support
Revision: 1.1
