(Better Business Bureau )
This article was prepared for BBB Serving the San Francisco Bay Area and Coastal California by Herewith, Inc., a BBB Accredited Business.
Many families find themselves overwhelmed when it comes to understanding their options for in-home care. It can be hard to navigate all the different services and terminologies—who provides what and how much it costs. Here are some of the most common misconceptions about in-home care and the truth behind them.
Myth #1: Home care and home health care are the same thing
They are different, and each have their own uses. In-home care is nonmedical and includes personal caregiving, companionship, and help with ADLs, provided by caregivers. In contrast, home health care entails prescribed medical treatment, provided by nurses, therapists, and health aides.
Myth #2: Private home care is more expensive than agency care
Not necessarily. Private home care, where families directly hire a caregiver, might sound more expensive, but it is actually far more flexible and can be tailored to your needs more easily. With private care, families can hire caregivers to fill gaps in care on their own budget, with much more control over who they hire, while agency care comes with strict hourly minimums and sets chedules and pricing. Many private care platforms also include similar protections as agencies, such as liability insurance and background checks.
Myth #3: Assisted living provides all the care your loved one needs
While assisted living facilities provide many services to support independence, there are some services that are not included, or may cost more. Companionship, personal caregiving, and transportation assistance are often add-ons or only available minimally due to short-staffing, causing many families to provide extra care themselves or hire part-time caregiving for their loved one.
Myth #4: In-home care is only for older adults
False. In-home care is for more than just seniors. In-home care is the perfect solution for post-acute care, for home dialysis support, for people recovering from surgery, or who have ongoing care or mobility needs.
Myth #5: Caring for a loved one yourself saves money
This one might sound true, but real life is a little more complicated. While you might save money by not hiring a caregiver, costs can add up in other ways for family caregivers. Missed work, increased transportation costs, childcare costs, and the health risks of increased stress due to caregiving burnout can all play a factor.
Myth #6: In-home care means a loss of independence
The opposite is often true. In-home care actually helps many seniors stay independent longer. Most older adults prefer to age in place, receiving in-home support rather than relocating to assisted living or Skilled Nursing Facilities. Services such as in-home care, meal deliveries, and transportation assistance all help older adults remain independent as long as possible, which can have positive effects on mental and social health.
Myth #7: You can’t get in-home care in a senior living community
In-home care takes place in your home, wherever that may be from a condo to an assisted living unit or even a room in a Skilled Nursing Facility. While individual communities may have their own rules and regulations, private in-home care services are usually a welcome addition to most communities, as they support residents’ health and wellbeing.
Top takeaways for in-home care
In-home care is a very personal choice. Every family has to find the right combination of services that works for their unique situation: from budgeting constraints to care needs, whether family support is nearby or far away, and what the care recipient prefers. Understanding and exploring your options is essential to finding the right fit for you and your loved ones.
Learn more about your in-home care options on BBB's resource page for seniors.
The Better Business Bureau Serving The San Francisco Bay Area and Northern Coastal California thanks Herewith,Inc. for submitting this guest blog.