In-Home Care (Caregivers/Companion)
What is In-Home care? In-home care is providing medical or non-medical care services in the home of the care recipient. Such care services may be provided by caregivers (spouse, adult children, relatives, neighbor, and a friend) or healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses, therapists). Medical care performed by skilled healthcare professionals to a care recipient at home is commonly referred to as “Home Health care”. “Home care”, on the other hand, refers to the custodial care or non-medical home care service provided by caregivers in the client’s home.
In-home care is usually the first choice of care when seniors start needing help performing their activities of daily living. These seniors need assistance but are not receptive to moving to an Assisted Living community. Most of these seniors would rather choose to stay in the comforts of their housing than moving elsewhere. Adult children of these seniors then face this challenge of “WHO” would care for mom and dad at home.
Who can I call for help for Mom and dad?
If it is not possible for the adult children to care for an aging parent, home care for seniors is available. There are many care providers offering in-home care services. In California, there is no license required to operate home care services. However, certification is available through CAHSAH (California Association for Health Services at Home) to home care providers to establish guidelines for service efficiency.
The in-home care agencies in California vary enormously in the way they manage their business because it is not regulated. It is extremely valuable for families to choose the RIGHT elderly home care provider. Elderly home care providers differ in the manner of hiring, training, operations, and caregiver compensation. Reputable in-home care providers have their home caregivers in their payroll. Some elderly home care providers hire the elderly caregivers as independent contractors and other agencies pay their home caregivers “under the table”.
What makes a good In-home care Provider?
- Senior caregivers are screened, bonded, and insured.
- Home caregivers underwent pre-employment Criminal Background check (Live Scan).
- Elderly home caregivers are employees of the agency.
- In-home care agency provides worker’s compensation and liability insurance to the caregivers.
- Elderly caregivers are highly trained and supervised.
- Agency offers free In-home assessment.
- Elderly home care provider supplies brochures and materials.
- Care provider involves the family in creating a care plan for the senior care recipient.
- Home caregiver responds to calls promptly.
Fees:
In-home care services provide hourly and live-in services.
- Hourly: On average, rates range from $13-$22 per hour depending on the care and number of hours service is requested.
- Live-in (24 hour shift): $120-$220 per day
Services:
In-home care services include:
- Companion care
- Bathing, dressing
- Personal Hygiene
- Light Housekeeping and Laundry
- Meal Preparation
- Transportation
- Medication Reminders
- Incontinence care
- Escort to doctors appointments
- Assistance with shopping and errands
- Cooking
- Transferring (aid with mobility)
- Others