If you’re in the process of finding in-home care for a loved one, you know how time-consuming and involved it can be. So to help, here are answers to frequently asked questions about in-home care, plus specific questions about in-home services from MeetCaregivers.
Frequently Asked Questions About In-Home Care
If you’re in the process of finding in-home care for a loved one, then you know how time-consuming and involved it can be. For example, there are so many questions, such as, “How much does in-home care cost?”, “Does Medicare cover in-home care?” or “Which type of caregiver does my loved one need?”
Of course, finding the right services can take even more time without the correct answers. So to help, here are common questions about in-home care, plus specific questions about MeetCaregivers’s home care services. While this list isn’t comprehensive, we hope it answers some of your questions.
The Cost Of In-Home Care
How much does 24/7 in-home care cost per month?
The monthly cost of home care varies according to location, service, care needs, and many other factors. However, according to the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, the monthly median cost for 24/7 home care is about $18,927 for homemaker services. On the other hand, home health aides typically cost $19,656 for around-the-clock care.
Does Medicare cover in-home care?
Medicare will fully cover up to 60 days of home care services that meet the following conditions:
- The recipient is homebound.
- A doctor orders the services under a plan of care.
- The approval occurs from a documented, in-person doctor’s appointment between 30 and 90 days after services start.
- A Medicare-approved agency provides the services.
Available home care benefits include services such as:
- Home health aides
- Skilled nursing care
- Medical social services
- Durable medical equipment
- Occupational, physical, and speech therapy
But unfortunately, Medicare benefits don’t include services such as:
- Meal delivery
- 24/7 home care
- Personal care (when it is the only type of care needed)
- Household services not included in the care plan (shopping, housework, laundry, etc.)
Does Medicaid cover in-home care?
Medicaid coverage for home care is available in every state. In addition, many state Medicaid programs provide personal care services for non-medical needs such as dressing and bathing. However, some states offer the Community First Choice (CFC) option, which provides in-home personal care services to support activities of daily living (ADLs).
Likewise, Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Medicaid waivers may also offset costs associated with skilled nursing care provided in the home, such as hospice, respite, durable medical equipment (DME), home modifications, and more.
How much does in-home care cost?
Home care costs vary widely by region, state, and even zip code. For example, some state requirements impact the fees independent caregivers and agencies charge. Furthermore, there is no standard hourly rate for caregivers. Qualifications, experience, and certification can also impact hourly rates.
However, you can still find hourly, daily, monthly, and annual estimates of homemaker and home health aide services with the Genworth Cost of Care Survey. Based on the 2021 results, the average hourly rate was $26 for homemaker services and $27 for home health aides (HHAs). Respectively, that amounts to:
- $163 and $169 per day.
- $4,957 and $5,148 per month.
- $59,888 and $61,776 per year.
How much does in-home care cost per hour?
The 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey found that the hourly median cost for homemaker services is $26, while home health aides typically charge around $27 per hour.
Do veterans' benefits cover in-home care?
Yes, qualifying veterans enrolled in the VA health care system can receive home care coverage through the VA Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) program.
Does Social Security Disability (SSDI) pay for in-home care?
Unfortunately, SSDI programs don’t directly provide in-home care coverage. However, SSDI recipients enrolled in Medicare may qualify for home health care coverage if they:
- Are homebound
- Require skilled care
- Receive physician approval
- Receive care from a Medicare-approved in-home care agency.
General Questions About In-Home Care
What is in-home care?
Home care refers to a wide variety of non-medical services delivered in the home to help recipients age in place or recover from an illness, injury, or manage a disability, such as:
- Personal care, such as bathing, dressing, toileting, etc.
- Errand running and transportation assistance.
- Household tasks, such as laundry, light housework, and meal preparation.
What is home health care?
Home health care refers to various healthcare services delivered in the home. Compared to a hospital or skilled nursing facility, in-home health services are more affordable, convenient, and beneficial. In addition to companionship and personal care, home health professionals have the training and licensing to administer medications and assist with other medical needs, such as:
- Physical, speech, or occupational therapy
- Medication administration and injections
- Health exams
- Vital sign monitoring
- Wound care
What is a home health aide?
A home health aide (HHA) supports patients’ independence at home by providing personal care services. Typically, HHAs undergo specialized training to provide specialized care, such as dressing changes and vital sign recording. Similarly, they assist with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as:
- Companionship
- Medication reminders
- Transferring and mobility
- Meal planning and preparation
- Bathing, grooming, toileting, and dressing
- Housekeeping (laundry, light housework, etc.)
- Running errands and providing transportation assistance.
What is a personal care aide?
A personal care aide (PCA) supports the independence of seniors or people with disabilities. PCAs help these individuals with activities of daily living such as:
- Companionship
- Medication reminders
- Transferring and mobility
- Meal planning and preparation
- Bathing, grooming, toileting, and dressing
- Housekeeping (laundry, light housework, etc.)
- Running errands and providing transportation assistance.
As you can see, PCAs and HHAs provide similar services. However, they don’t undergo the same training, so they cannot offer the same level of care.
What is a home health nurse?
A home health nurse is an RN, LPN, or NA who delivers patient care within their home, typically following a discharge from a hospital or nursing facility. Home health nurses provide medical care, but responsibilities vary based on credentials, education, and training.
What's the difference between in-home care & home health care?
Home care and home health care refer to a broad range of services intended to support health outcomes, independence, and dignity within the home. However, there are several differences, for example:
- Home care refers to non-medical care such as companionship, laundry, and cooking. Alternatively, home health care refers to medical care such as wound care, medication administration, etc.
- Only licensed professionals (RNs, LPNs, occupational therapists, etc.) provide home health care services. On the other hand, home care professionals don’t have to undergo the same amount of training and education.
- A physician typically orders home health care under a care plan following an injury or illness.
What does palliative care at home include?
Palliative care is a specialized service for people receiving treatment for heart disease, kidney disease, dementia, or another serious illness. In-home palliative care professionals focus on improving their patients’ comfort at home and quality of life while providing family support. Palliative care at home typically includes activities such as:
- Health tests
- Prescription medications
- Medical care, such as wound care or ostomy care
- Physical therapy
- Social, emotional, and spiritual support
- Help to navigate the healthcare system
- Health education
What does "homebound" mean?
Homebound individuals have an illness, injury, or other condition that limits their ability to leave their home or requires crutches, canes, wheelchairs, or other assistive devices.
Questions About MeetCaregivers In-Home Care
How long have you provided in-home care services?
MeetCaregivers was founded in 2017 by Florence Furaha, a former caregiver.
What kind of in-home care services do you offer?
We provide a broad range of low- and high-touch care services. Likewise, our companions, CNAs, HHAs, RNs, and LPNs have the skills and credentials to meet seniors’ diverse needs, such as skilled medical care for chronic conditions and non-medical support for activities of daily living.
Are your caregivers insured and bonded?
As MeetCaregivers employees, all caregivers are protected under liability insurance and worker’s compensation.
Do I choose which caregiver visits my home?
When you complete the Caregiver Match Questionnaire, our algorithm will determine the best matches, which we will share with you for review. But, of course, we won’t assign a caregiver without client approval.
Will the same caregiver visit my loved one?
We believe that strong connections between client and caregiver lead to better health outcomes. Therefore, we encourage our caregivers and companions to build long-lasting relationships with our clients.
Can your caregivers help with medication?
Yes, we employ several home health nursing professionals who are authorized to administer medications.
Can I change or discontinue my loved one's services?
Yes, we respect each client’s decision to change or discontinue their loved one’s service and will work with you to avoid gaps in care.
How do I verify completed shifts?
Our Family Care Portal features a helpful dashboard where clients and family members can view completed shifts, notes, completed tasks, and more. In addition, the Care Portal automatically “flags” any incomplete visit-related duties and sends an alert to the care manager for inquiry, follow-up, and completion.
Do I need a doctor's authorization to receive in-home care?
In-home care services provided by personal care aides, homemakers, and companion caregivers do not require a doctor’s approval. Additionally, some services may not require authorization for private payers.
Do I pay the caregivers, or do you?
We employ all caregivers in our network, so we pay them directly. We also manage care coordination and administrative responsibilities such as:
- Matching and scheduling
- Payroll and benefits
- Workers’ compensation and liability insurance
How do you match clients to the right caregiver?
We use AI to match companions and members on our platform based on information provided on our intake forms. These forms ask questions about various areas such as care needs, personality, schedule requests, and payment. Afterward, our companion matching system uses that data to match seniors and companions based on categories such as:
- Gender
- Personality
- Health care needs
- Languages spoken
- Current stress level
- Schedule availability
- Physical requirements
- Required certifications
- Pets and home environment
- Personal interests and vocations
- Experience with medical conditions
Additionally, our caregivers undergo extensive pre-screening and background checks. Once hired, they answer many of the same questions we ask clients during the onboarding process. Then, we use these responses to evaluate each companion based on the requested type of care by tracking factors such as:
- Years of experience
- Specializations
- Certifications
- Availability
- Location
- Member satisfaction
Next, our matching algorithm calculates scores and compares each companion’s background to determine the best fit for each member’s needs. For example, companions specializing in specific areas of care or who have more experience receive higher scores.
In-Home Care From MeetCaregivers
Are you interested in in-home care, or do you have a question that’s not listed? If so, we can help. Call 1 (888) 541-1136 or email info@meetcaregivers.com to schedule an appointment with one of our care managers. You also can find more information about caregiving, home health, senior living, and other topics on our Blog.
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