Paying for Home Care

Dreaming of that perfect vacation while listening to friends and family share tales of exciting getaways? The desire to travel and escape reality for a little while is universal, but when you are caring for an older loved one, it might seem like an unattainable luxury. However, taking a break is not just possible; it’s crucial for both your well-being and the well-being of your older family member.

Why Taking a Break Matters

Neglecting self-care can lead to burnout and depression, ultimately affecting the quality of care you provide. So how can you step away and know that the individual you’re caring for will remain safe and well while you’re gone?

These tips are a great place to start:

Talk About It. Initiating a conversation with the older adult about your upcoming break is a crucial step. Transparency builds trust … Read More »

Many of today’s older adults grew up during the Great Depression. They lived through a time when the country was cutting corners and pinching pennies. Frugality was embedded in many of them at an early age and quite often remains firmly in place for life.

So what can you do when an older adult refuses to pay for care, even though they clearly are in need of care at home and have the financial ability to pay for the care?

First, empathize. Understand that the person’s perspective is valid and determined by past life experiences. If the older adult seems to be resistant to the idea of spending money for the care they need, remind yourself of the emotions behind the behaviors. An additional layer of difficulty may be in simply accepting the need for care altogether, something that … Read More »

Being a better advocate for your older loved ones begins with these four tactics.

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” – Dr. Seuss, The Lorax

Serving as an advocate for your older loved ones is perhaps one of the greatest honors – and responsibilities – you’ll have as a family caregiver. It means fully comprehending their needs and wishes, and communicating them to those who can help to make sure they’re achieved.

Ensure senior safety by learning about these 3 types of elder abuse.

Even though abusing an older adult is something that would never cross the mind of most people, it’s a tragically frequent situation in the U.S. Elder abuse can arise in many variations, from physical to emotional, and it impacts the most frail and vulnerable among us.

Given that elder abuse is in many cases a voiceless problem, it’s imperative for families and friends of seniors to be familiar with the symptoms and signs of elder abuse to protect older loved ones. Our home care team have gathered together several of the warning signs that may suggest elder abuse.

Physical Abuse:

Evidence of injury such as bruises, scars, or welts, especially if they are noted symmetrically on both sides of the body
Sprains or broken bones
Drug overdoses or regularly missed medications
Cracked or … Read More »

The Santa Rosa, CA home care team at Hired Hands explains veteran’s benefits for care.

Many times, families make the assumption that as long as their loved one is covered by Medicare, paying for care at home isn’t something they need to consider. Unfortunately, however, this is a common misconception. As we noted in a previous blog post, most people use private funds in paying for care at home. There are a couple of alternatives to consider though for veterans and their spouses. The top home care company Santa Rosa, CA, Hired Hands Homecare, outlines the details to help those who have served in the military to access all of the resources available to them in paying for care at home.

First to consider is the Veterans’ Aid and Attendance program, which helps wartime veterans and/or their spouses with paying for … Read More »

Our Napa senior living experts have tips on options to pay for in home care

At some point, it’s likely your aging parents will require a little extra assistance in order to remain safe and independent, and if they’re like the vast majority of older adults, they prefer to age in place at home. The first question that usually arises is how to pay for in home care services. The Napa senior living team at Hired Hands Homecare hears this question often, and we have the answers you need.

When it comes to paying for in home care assistance, typically services of a non-medical nature are paid for out of pocket. For this reason, assessing your finances and determining what assets are available to assist in paying for home care services is essential.

The Napa senior living experts at Hired Hands Homecare have compiled … Read More »