In-home Health Care

When in-home care works well, there can be many benefits. People who are cared for in their own home can feel more independent. By staying in an environment that feels comfortable, safe and peaceful, they may feel less lonely or isolated. There also may be an upside for you, too. If you’re able to bring in a certified in-home caregiver, you may have more time to spend with your loved one doing shared activities like reading aloud or listening to music. And, you may learn more about health care in general and new, specific things you can do for your loved one.

While it may not be pleasant to think about the potential downsides of being a caregiver, awareness is an important way to be empowered. When you’re aware of the challenges you might face, you can better prepare for the future by communicating your needs, establishing your boundaries, and taking advantage of the many resources available to you and your loved one.

Caring for a friend or family member can be fulfilling, but it can also be stressful and emotionally draining. It can take a toll on relationships. It might also feel like you do an unfair share of work if you have other close family members who you expected to help, but don’t step in when you need support. At times, you may feel unappreciated if the person you’re caring for is unable to say thank you or communicate well. And other people in your life might not understand or support your commitment to caregiving.

Caregivers may also struggle with financial hardship if they start spending their own money on groceries, medical equipment or other items required for care. This is especially true if your caregiving role requires you to cut back on work hours.

Government programs, like Medicare, Medicaid and Veterans’ Administration (VA) benefits may cover some or all medically-necessary in-home health care for patients who meet certain requirements. It’s important to understand which services are covered and which services may come with out-of-pocket costs.

Private insurance, like an individual or family health plan you may get through an employer or through a Marketplace Affordable Care Act (ACA) plan, may provide some coverage for skilled medical care, but typically these plans do not cover personal care. It’s best to check your plan details or call your insurance company to make sure you understand your benefits around in-home health care.

If your insurance doesn’t cover in-home health care, you could look into hiring an in-home care provider and pay for services out of pocket. Be sure to shop around and compare costs because these services can get expensive. Or, reach out your local social services agency or your local offices on aging to see if your loved one qualifies for financial support.¹

There are many resources available to help caregivers. Here are a few:

• Public/government resources. Search your county and state websites (try a term like “senior services”). You can find resources about helping seniors live as independently as possible. These might include information on support planning and community-based programs.
• Respite care. You’ll likely need breaks from caregiving. If you don’t have a network of friends or family willing to help, you can visit archrespite.org to find respite providers and programs in your area.
• Delivery services. Whether it’s medications, household supplies or food delivery services, you might be surprised at what you can have delivered right to your door.