“You can be sure your request for staff will receive the special attention you deserve.”

Do You Need Help With A Loved One?

Arcadia HealthCare knows that home care can have different meanings to different people. Arcadia would like to assist you/your loved one to secure the care they need by providing the following information.

Some people think home care is limited to providing health care, but this is only one type of home care. Home care refers to any service provided in the home. It includes nursing care, assistance with bathing and running errands and basic homemaking chores. Different types of home care have different costs and funding sources.

There are basically 3 kinds of home care. Each has its own characteristics.

Skilled (Professional) - This type requires the skills of a licensed professional. It includes services from a registered nurse, physical therapist or medical social worker
Personal Care - This type provides or assists with personal care activities. It includes bathing, grooming, hair care, transfers and helping with walking
Choreworker/Homemaking - This type helps with household chores or errands. It includes laundry, housekeeping, companionship, grocery shopping, and accompaniment to a doctor visit, meal preparation, and pet care. This type includes any activity not included in the first two types.

Skilled Professional care is usually covered by health insurances such as Blue Cross, Prudential and Medicare. It is the most expensive type of home care because a licensed professional such as a registered nurse provides it. Persons requiring these services usually have an unstable medical condition whose condition requires close monitoring. Examples include a person requiring a dressing change or teaching about their medications.

Agencies providing these services are generally licensed by the State. This helps ensure high quality, safe care.

Personal Care Services are provided by non-licensed individuals. They are called personal care aides or home care aides. These individuals have at least a high school education and 1 year experience providing personal care.

In some states the home care agency must have a license to provide personal care. The license requires them to follow regulations. Sometimes the regulations require the worker to complete personal care courses before providing care to you.

Personal care services are less costly than skilled home care. Long-term care insurance may cover all or some of these costs. Most regular health insurance policies do not cover personal care expenses unless the person is also receiving skilled home care at the same time.

Homemaking/Chore worker services do not provide personal care. These services include all other types of services in the home. This type includes household chores, laundry, housekeeping, shopping, banking, pet care and companionship. Persons providing homemaking or chore worker services usually do not have any formal training. The home care company should require them to have experience performing the services you are requesting. In most states, a license is not required to provide the service.

Homemaker/choreworker service is the least expensive and most flexible of all home care types. Again, most regular insurance policies do not cover homemaker/choreworker services. Sometimes in the recovery process after an auto accident or a work related injury the workers' compensation carrier/auto insurer will pay for limited homemaking services.

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