Most older Americans want to live at home as long as they can, but finding and affording the help they need often isn鈥檛 easy. There are severe shortages of home health aides in many parts of the country. Hiring them is costly. And most middle-class people will have to pay for home care themselves if it鈥檚 needed for the long haul. Here鈥檚 a guide to locating home care for an older person.
What kind of home care do you need?
After a fall or surgery, some older people will need short-term care at home from a nurse or therapist to help them recover. Medicare, the federal insurance program for those 65 and older, typically pays for this kind of home health care. A nurse can make sure a wound is healing properly, for example, while a physical therapist can help a person get back on their feet after a knee replacement.
But millions of older Americans need assistance over months or years to stay in their homes safely instead of moving to an assisted living facility or nursing home. They may require help getting out of bed, taking a shower, or going to the bathroom; getting to the doctor; shopping for groceries; or making meals. They would need a home aide or personal care assistant, who may not have much, if any, medical training.
How do I find help?
A wide range of services are available, whether it鈥檚 light housekeeping or hiring a private-duty nurse. Monica Moreno, senior director of care and support at the Alzheimer鈥檚 Association, suggests that you start by making a simple list of the kind of help you or your loved one needs and the number of hours each day or week required.
To identify agencies and services available in your area, Moreno recommends looking through a provided jointly by the association and AARP, the nonprofit group representing older Americans, that is searchable by location. A list of agencies and a brief description of what they provide can be found under the category 鈥渃are at home.鈥 AARP also has a .
Should I use an agency?
While Medicare certifies and gives star ratings to , the businesses that provide home care services are not subject to federal oversight or required to be licensed in every state. But a good agency will run background checks on its workers and give them training and support. If an aide calls in sick or quits, the agency can find a replacement. Some businesses also bond and insure their caregivers.
To choose an agency, Jennifer Battista, chief operating officer for the Home Care Association of America, suggests inviting several of them to your home to conduct an assessment. Ask them how they vet their employees, whether they run criminal background checks, and whether their employees are required to know how to perform CPR or provide first aid. Be sure to ask for references for individual aides and talk to families who have employed them before.
Once you pick an agency, you may want to try a few caregivers before finding the right one. The more information you share about your loved one鈥檚 needs, the better the agency will be able to find an aide who鈥檚 a good fit. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a lot like matchmaking,鈥 Battista said.
What about finding someone through word-of-mouth?
Many families have success finding a caregiver by asking people they trust for recommendations, said Nicole Jorwic, a lawyer who is the chief of advocacy and campaigns for Caring Across Generations, an advocacy organization. 鈥淐ast a wide net, post on private social media, and ask family and friends,鈥 she said, noting that she found caregivers for her grandparents by asking people in her community.
Churches and other religious institutions, local charities, and community organizations may also have suggestions. A primary care doctor or local medical practice may have experience with specific home care agencies or know of individual caregivers. If you decide to hire someone privately, you should be sure to do a thorough background check and talk to families who have employed them before. Family Caregiver Alliance, a California nonprofit group, .
Will Medicare cover the cost of an aide?
Many home agencies erroneously say they can鈥檛 send a home aide and will tell a doctor鈥檚 office or patient that Medicare won鈥檛 pay for one. 鈥淭his is a long-standing problem,鈥 said Judith Stein, executive director of the Center for Medicare Advocacy, a nonprofit legal group.
While it鈥檚 true that Medicare doesn鈥檛 pay for long-term care, it may pay for an aide as part of a patient鈥檚 care plan if that person also qualifies for a home nurse or therapist for a time. Agencies often refuse to provide someone because Medicare pays a lump sum per patient, meaning the agency isn鈥檛 paid more for sending an aide in addition to the nurse or therapist. Talk to the doctor about whether an aide is necessary so one can be specified in the care plan presented to the agency.
Medicare patients are getting fewer visits from an aide now than they did some 25 years ago, and the center is now appealing a judge鈥檚 claiming that Medicare, under the Department of Health and Human Services, discouraged the use of aides for thousands of people. The judge that many people were not getting care.
Will other insurance pay for an aide?
Under Medicaid, the state-federal program for low-income people that provides long-term care, the cost of an aide is often covered as an alternative to a nursing home. But a shortage of workers can make it difficult to find one even if you qualify. Families complain of frequent no-shows, and because wages are low under the program, agencies often have high turnover among workers.
Some private Medicare Advantage plans offer home care as a supplemental benefit, and it鈥檚 possible that some help will be covered under a long-term care insurance policy. If you or your loved one is a veteran, it鈥檚 worth checking with the Department of Veterans Affairs to see if it will pay for home care.
How much will an aide cost?
If you decide to pay privately, the hourly rates charged by agencies vary widely, and some agencies may not be able to fill a position for just a few hours a week. In San Jose, California, half the agencies charged more than for a home health aide in 2021, according to Genworth, a long-term care insurer. Across the country, agencies are charging roughly $27 an hour with a little more than half of that going to pay their workers.
There are no good estimates for how much people working for themselves may charge. You could save some money because there is no go-between agency taking a cut, but some independent caregivers charge roughly the same as an agency.
How do I report a problem?
If the agency you鈥檙e using is licensed by your state, you can check with the government office overseeing it if you run into a problem. You can also file a complaint with various state agencies, including the state health department.
Where else can I get help?
State or local government agencies that focus on aging or nonprofit groups can provide information. You can also try the . The Alzheimer鈥檚 Association also has some , and it offers a 24-hour help line: 1-800-272-3900.
What about respite care?
Family caregivers should also think about taking advantage of respite care to give themselves a break from time to time. Depending on the circumstances, insurance may cover the cost, and there are local government and community groups that will pay for an aide for a brief period. Churches and other organizations might also provide respite care.
