Pick a senior, any senior, and you’re likely to hear the same sentiments: the vast majority of older adults agree that they’d prefer to spend their elder years at home over moving to a nursing home facility. However, there are many misconceptions about who will pay for home care. For example, will home care be covered by Medicare or Medicaid or insurance? CPA Jerry Lewis notes that home care clients typically pay with private funds.
Even though Medicare does cover home health care on a limited basis, if it’s deemed medically necessary, it does not cover homemaker services – and, most health insurance and Medicare supplemental plans don’t cover any kind of in-home care.
According to Rod Perkins, VP of insurance regulation of the American Council of Life Insurers, “Baby boomers have seen their parents have long-term care needs and weren’t prepared. And it’s not just an old-age product. For example, you could need in-home care due to an accident.”
If you and your older loved ones are not able to pay out of pocket for home care, however, be assured that there are some other paths to explore, for example:
Veterans’ support (click here to check eligibility requirements)
PACE
Long-term care insurance policies that specifically include in-home care services
Reverse mortgages
Organizations geared to assist with particular needs, such as the Alzheimer’s Association, the ALS Association, and Easter Seals, may offer you respite care vouchers
Community support, such as through religious organizations, the local Area on Aging, the United Way and area senior centers
The Benefits.gov site is also a great resource to determine what federal benefits you could be eligible for. You can also contact a professional home care agency like Modern Health Home Care for further help and guidance on ensuring no stone is left unturned regarding providing home care for your precious senior loved ones. We’re skilled at exploring every possible avenue to help families locate any benefits for which their older loved ones qualify. So, allow us to help make professional in-home care services available for you!
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