Home Care Services (Non-Medical)

Often seniors just need a little assistance with the activities of daily living. Home Care companies assist with driving seniors to doctors appointments, taking them to or doing the shopping, preparing meals, light housekeeping, laundry and even companionship. Having home care can allow many seniors to remain in their residence.  Some home care companies are also allowed to provide services like walking assistance, stand by assistance with bathing and personal care, dressing changes, toileting assistance and medication reminders. Home Care is one of the least expensive care options available and is mostly private pay, however it is sometimes available through the Area Agency on Aging depending on their situation. Caregivers are usually screened, have a criminal background check and trained to work with the elderly. By using a home care company you will be ensured that if the designated care giver is unable to make it someone else will be show up. You can also use a home care company  on a short-term or long term basis. Most home care companies have a minimum number of hours per visit or per week, usually 3 hours, 3 times a week.  Veteran's have home care services available to them as well.  Just mention your need to your primary care physician at the VA and they will connect you with the social worker that can get it scheduled for you. 

Aging Avenues has developed a network of the best home care providers in Indianapolis, Carmel, Fishers, Avon, Brownsburg, Greenwood, Plainfield, Franklin, Lawrence, Mooresville, Zionsville and Speedway.

Deciding to Use Home Care Assistance

Some form of senior care is something everyone who gets to a certain age must deal with, determining the right type is the important decision.  Remaining in their home with assistance is the ideal environment but not always feasible.  When it comes time to decide on whether a loved needs home care or an assisted living there are a few things to keep in mind for Indianapolis residents.  The obvious factor to most people would be expense but it is not the only factor.  Home care can sometimes be less expensive than going to an assisted living facility; it just depends on the level of home care needed.  If twenty-four hour care is needed then it will not be less expensive.

When your loved one is adamant about staying at home rather than moving into an assisted living facility or nursing home it is helpful to get an unbiased evaluation from a professional, like Aging Avenues who will make sure this is a safe option and maybe see things that you don't. Aging Avenues can then offer a recommendation of a home care agency that will meet your needs and can even arrange the service needed. The ultimate decision will still be up to you and your loved ones, but having this intelligence can make a huge difference.

A misconception about home care is that it is not as good as the care in a facility. That is not true and all depends on the system you put in place. For instance, your loved one may not need the level of care a senior care facility provides but may only need a home care professional.  Having that person around to help with bathing assistance, meals, household chores and such several times a week may be all that is required. Home care also gives them a companion to visit with which is important to healthy aging.  This combined with some automated services like medication dispensers or telephonic checks might be a good option for your loved one. Most home care professionals are trained in CPR and communicating with people with Alzheimer's.  Some home care companies only hire Certified Nursing Assistants.  Home care cannot provide hands on medical care or dispense medications, for that you will need home healthcare which staffs with nurses.  If a senior has Alzheimer's they should not be left unsupervised and home care may be an expensive option.  

Even if they have a spouse it is appropriate to enlist the help of a home care agency.  Remember they are a senior as well and most aren't capable of picking another person up if they fall or to be on call twenty-four hours a day.  Often caregivers compromise their own health while assisting their loved one.  Even adult children need a break from the constant responsibility of looking after their parent and should consider hiring a home care agency.  One of the key benefits of using an agency vs an individual caregiver is that they have replacements if their usual caregiver is ill.  If you're not pleased with the caregiver sent then contact the home care agency for a replacement.  There must be a connection between the senior and the caregiver.  Home care is paid privately, through long term care insurance and the Veteran's Improved Pension.  Home Care usually runs $18.00 per hour and most home care companies have a three hour minimum.  Whatever your decision, Indianapolis home care is a viable and successful scenario and may be the way to go.

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