In-Home Care and Home Care Services
Finding a Caregiver in Arizona
Home Care Services
Some seniors understandably want to age independently in their own homes. While this is ideal, remaining independent is not always a possibility. As people advance in age, activities of daily living (ADLs) can become a struggle. Things like showering, cooking, eating, toileting, moving from the couch to the bedroom, etc. become more difficult to perform. Once a person can no longer perform their ADLs, they may require the use of a caregiver to remain healthy. For seniors who wish to remain at home, in-home care can be a great choice.
What is In-Home Care?
In-home care is when long term care is provided in a senior’s home. The care can be provided by a family member or a paid professional. Depending on a senior’s care needs, in-home care may just be a few hours a day or in extreme cases, 24/7. Due to the cost of in-home care, it may not be a good option for all seniors. For those who need 24-hour care and don’t have a family member to assist, the cost of professional care can add up extremely fast.
What Benefits are Available?
Depending on a person’s medical and financial need, state benefits may be available for financial assistance. The main benefit seniors use for in-home care is the Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS), a Medicaid program. In general, people use ALTCS to help pay for assisted living and/or to cover the costs of care associated with in-home care. Depending on medical neediness, ALTCS will pay for up to 40-hours per week for in-home care. For those who need 24/7 care, ALTCS will pay for care at a long-term care facility.
Another benefit that may be available is called the Aid and Attendance benefit, through the VA. Aid and Attendance is a benefit for veterans and their spouses. Veterans must have served at least one day during a specified wartime period, even if the serving spouse is deceased. Aid and Attendance is a cash benefit, which means it can be used for any expenses associated with long-term care, whether the care is at a facility or at home.
Call us today for a free consultation so you can learn which benefits you might be eligible for.
Caregiver Options
As mentioned, care can either be provided through a professionally hired caregiver or through a family member. Oftentimes, family members provide caregiving services at no cost to their loved ones, which is why ALTCS allows family members to be paid for their time. If a person gets approved for the ALTCS benefit, they can choose whether they want to pay a family member or if they would rather pay a professional. Family members can be paid up to 40-hours per week. Many people mistakenly believe ALTCS will take all of their income, but for in-home care specifically, ALTCS lets a person keep their income. This means that the caregiver is paid entirely using state monies.
In-Home Care Information
Am I Eligible for ALTCS?
Depending on medical and financial eligibility, many people are candidates for ALTCS. There is a misconception that owning houses, making too much money, etc, can disqualify you from the ALTCS program. These can prevent a person from qualifying if they apply before the property or income is properly allocated. But in most situations, individuals who qualify medically can qualify financially. Senior Planning specializes in helping people qualify who would not qualify on their own.
Paying a Family Member
If you are a caregiver to a loved one and you are wondering how to get paid, you have come to the right place. Senior Planning can help your loved one apply to ALTCS so you can get paid. Once approved, they can designate you as their caregiver. Family caregivers can be paid up to 40-hours per week depending on the medical need of the ALTCS recipient. The only difficult part of the process is the ALTCS application, which is why many people choose to hire Senior Planning for assistance.
Hiring a Certified Caregiver
Caregivers either work independently or through an agency. Senior Planning can help you find a care agency or an independent caregiver working in your area. We’ll make sure they can work within your budget, needs, and schedule. If you are interested in in-home care, we can go over the options with you and see if it is the right fit for your needs. Also, if you are planning to use ALTCS to pay for the caregiver, we can help you find an agency that accepts the ALTCS benefit as a form of payment.
How much is In-Home Care?
In-home caregiving can be expensive, but some Arizona seniors who are able to afford it are willing to pay the higher price to enjoy the comforts of home. Generally, caregiving agencies have hourly minimums that must be met. For example, some agencies require caregivers to be hired for at least four hours a day, five days a week. If a caregiver charges $25.00/hour you can see that the minimum will be at least $500.00 per week. For seniors who need more care, the price grows accordingly.