It's critical to recognize that no two care stories are same. Some start when a crisis occurs, such as a significant illness, hospitalization, or a fall. Other times, you may notice telltale signs that assistance may be required and begin to prepare ahead of time.

Planning and advising

Geriatric Care Managers and Elder Care Attorneys: What Do They Do?

Geriatric Care Managers (GCMs) are registered social workers or nurses who specialize in assisting adults with age-related or chronic illnesses. Consider a GCM to be a personal consultant or perhaps a "concierge" who helps families identify needs and find resources to efficiently address those needs.

When family members and other social supports live far away from a loved one in need, or when an emergency occurs and you need answers immediately away, a GCM can be extremely useful. 

Home Care Services by Professionals

The Professional senior care who will be routinely helping you or your loved one is one of the most crucial components of a Care Team. After all, the caregiver is the one who spends hundreds of hours a year by the client's side.

In-home care for some people starts with a social and engaging companion. Companions can begin with 1-2 weekly visits, assisting with necessary weekly chores and offering genuine companionship. Meaningful conversations about similar interests and current events, creativity, and/or taking outings to cultural and entertainment places across the city are the foundations of our most successful client/companion partnerships.

Who is responsible for the cost of in-home care? 

In-home care services will have to be paid for privately by many Americans, which means with their own money or savings. A long-term care insurance coverage is one option for paying for services when the need arises. These plans, which can be obtained separately or in combination with broader life insurance policies, typically cover in-home care as well as community-living and skilled nursing care.

Isn't it true that Medicare and Medicaid are both government-funded programs?

Medicare, which is funded by the federal government, generally covers healthcare services for adults over the age of 65. Following a patient's discharge from a hospital or rehabilitation center, Medicare usually pays in-home care services. Skilled nursing, physical therapy, and even HHA services are only covered for a limited time – a typical episode of in-home care covered by Medicare is 60 days, and it may not cover all of the services or hours of care required.

Visiting Service Providers

When cognitive decline, general physical decline, severe weather, or the lack of a reliable escort make it difficult to meet medical providers on a regular basis, visiting providers is an excellent choice.

The crux of a home-based care team for many is a visiting primary care physician (PCP) or other primary care professional (e.g. nurse practitioner). As your loved one ages in place, these professionals can help ease the stress and logistical worries that come with critical medical appointments. They can diagnose and treat a wide range of ailments, just like any other primary care clinician, and make critical recommendations to other experts.