The prevalence of at-home caregiving rose from 16.6 percent in 2015 to 19.2 percent in 2020, according to an AARP Research report, and Eric Barth, Co-Founder/CEO of All Heart Home Care, says there is a clear reason why.
When COVID-19 changed the livelihoods of many at-risk elderly individuals, home care businesses like, All Heart Home Care, with offices in La Mesa, La Jolla, and Rancho Bernardo, stepped up to support these families and fill a large area of need.
Barth noted there were many loved ones being transferred back to a private home from a facility. There was a notable concern of being nearby many individuals and the possibility of acquiring COVID-19. Instead of individuals being sent to an assisted living facility, many people chose to remain living at their home.
As a result of that scenario, home care operations have noticed an increase in their client base, seeing it grow more than ever. They often turn their focus towards individualized forms of home care.
When it comes to All Heart Home Care, providing non-medical in-home care can vary from a few hours per day to around the clock care. Most seniors living at home just need a little extra help around the house where others may need a more specialized level of help. All Heart Home Care also provides specialized types of home care support.
Four areas of specialized care include:
* Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care
* Parkinson’s Home Care
* Recovery Care at Home
* Hospice – Palliative Support
Each of these plans necessitates special support and knowledge in their specific area of support. That is why it is critical to locate the right agency and care plan when care for a loved one is involved.
The All Heart Home Care guide for helping individuals who identify with one of these specialized needs:
Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care
Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia severely impacting the brain and memory functions. All Heart Home Care reported that Alzheimer’s disease makes up 80% of dementia cases. However, Alzheimer’s uniquely impacts each individual which is why an individualized care plan is often necessary, according to Barth. Barth highlighted those seniors with
Alzheimer’s and/or dementia should have care plans that include client safety and memory stimulation.
Here are a few ways home care can help individuals stay safe at home with Alzheimer’s and/or dementia while also easing any fears or frustrations that come with memory loss:
● Establishing structure with a consistent schedule
● Being consistent in care and support
● Engaging with activities, memory games, and puzzles that stimulate memory functions
Parkinson’s In-Home Care
Parkinson’s disease – a progressive condition of the nervous system – impacts the motor functions and mobility of individuals. Therefore, people with this disease can have a wide range of needs. From help with walking, bathing, cooking, and cleaning, home care providers are often essential to making daily living accessible. Here are the four ways home care can help individuals manage their disease and live a fuller life with assistance:
● Offering assistance with cooking and cleaning
● Helping with mobility and exercises
● Managing healthcare appointments
● Providing companionship with engaging conversation and other types of mental awareness stimulation
Recovery Care at Home
Recovery from a stroke, fall, cancer or surgery often entails getting extra support. Family members that work and can’t take time off or are scheduled to work long shifts might need someone to check in on their loved one and help them throughout the day. While each individual may have different needs depending on their recovery plan, Barth explained a few specific ways home care supports recovery.
● Explaining comprehensive directions from the doctor and other medical staff members
● Attending pre-treatment and post-treatment medical visits to obtain instructions
● Providing transportation to and from the hospital in a safe and timely manner
● Cooperating with family members as a support system
● Offering non-medical supportive services after the client returns home
Hospice – Palliative Support
While hospice care is geared towards the medical side of care at home many individuals on hospice need help additional help with the non-medical side of home care, home care helps fill the gaps where individuals need non-medical assistance with activities of daily living (ADL).
Know that hospice does not aid with the non-medical ADL’s. For example, Hospice agency providers do not come into the home to perform client bathing, cooking, rotations, feeding and so on. Only caregivers from a home care agency provides ADL’s.
Such activities are critical not only to assist clients in maintaining their comfort and health but overall well-being. Five ADLs that home care agencies can assist in.
● Helping with hygiene and bathing
● Cooking and offering assistance with eating
● Changing bed linens and doing laundry
● Rotating the individual to prevent bed sores
● Providing pet care if required.
Equally important to a detailed care plan is the right support system that can carry it out. Know that even with the outlined plans above, finding a perfect caregiver for you and your family is imperative, especially if the individual is tentative about home care.
All Heart Home Care created a pairing process to help clients find the right caregiver by matching personality types, doing a mini-meet, trial run, and checking back in with clients along the way.
Many families worry that a high caliber of care comes at a cost. The medical bills can rack up when dealing with severe cases that require around the clock home care, but there are ways to ensure you’re utilizing your finances to the best of your abilities.
Hourly care rates are on a case-by-case basis per the individuals care needs. Rates can also depend on client location, longevity of the shift and the level of care required. If you’re a Veteran, some of the home care costs may be covered by the VA.
All Heart Home Care specifically has aligned itself with a representative who can assist veteran seniors in qualifying for a program called, VA Aid & Attendance. If senior veterans and their spouses are under a certain income threshold, this program provides monthly payments in addition to the amount of a monthly VA pension to assist in paying for home care.
Know that All Heart Home Care does free assessments to figure out what’s best for you and your family. Whether you’re wanting family closer to home for bonding or are dealing with a high-risk condition, the importance of finding a care plan and a caregiver to make life easier are key.
To learn more about All Heart Home Care or speak with a representative, visit their website at allhearthomecare.com or call (619) 736-4677.
