You need to find outside help for your loved one, but where do you start? What should you look for and what questions do you ask? It’s not unusual to feel a bit intimidated or unsure of the process when you’re in this position. There are many issues to consider, ranging from if your loved one can afford to pay for in home care to if your loved one qualifies for outside assistance or if there are other options you aren’t aware of.

At Visiting Angels, we field questions like these all the time, and we offer you the following answers to help you on your journey:

1. Is my loved one eligible for home care? Anyone is eligible for home care services for which one privately pays a fee. Eligibility does come into play, however, if you are looking for help paying for care from any source other than private funds. Elder law attorneys and estate planners can be very helpful when planning for the payment of long-term care. Most states have Area Agencies on Aging that also provide help understanding eligibility for community-based services.
2. What about Medicare? It is a common misconception that Medicare will pay for long-term care needs, when in fact the opposite is true. Medicare is health insurance coverage provided by the United States government for people over age 65 that covers skilled medical care; it does not customarily cover assistance with daily living activities such as bathing, dressing and grooming. Some benefits may be available for short-term home health care, but only if certain conditions are met.
3. How can I pay for home care? There are multiple ways to fund in-home care, including retirement savings such as pensions and life insurance policies or long-term care insurance. Talk to a financial advisor and Visiting Angels to come up with a solid plan for affordable care.

We are trained to understand the ins and outs of in-home care and healthcare service eligibility. By asking us your questions, we can help you make an informed decision and lay to rest any concerns about in-home care that you may have.

If your loved one lives in Santa Clara or Alameda County, we’re here for you and your loved ones whenever you need us. Contact us any time at 408-735-0977 in Sunnyvale, or 510-284-0000 in Fremont or use our web form. We’re happy to help!