It’s only natural that we seek out the comforts of home, no matter the circumstances. We feel safe in familiar surroundings. Nowhere is this more evident than as age and begin to suffer from the effects of the aging process. We may not move around as well, and suffer from a variety of physical ailments. Still, folks want to stay at home, rather than look to an outside source such as an assisted living or nursing facility for care. We understand this feeling very well at The Stano Law Firm. We look for ways to help our clients maintain and build their wealth, so if needed they can use the services of an in-home caregiver. And yet there are some pitfalls to using such in-home help. There are three such dangers connected with in-home care that I want to point out.
Level of in-home care provided: this needs to be of paramount concern. You must ask yourself if the assigned caregiver is qualified to deliver what’s necessary so you or a loved one is getting what’s needed. Are the basics of care all that’s required such as minor assistance with medication, and/or help with cooking and cleaning; maybe running some errands or doing the grocery shopping? Is there much more involved such as a need for therapy or other health/mobility issues? Will the caregiver know what to do if an emergency occurs in the home, such as getting the recipient out in a fire or administer CPR if called on? One thing to consider: we’ve found that often, folks want to pay for just basic in-home care services when a more advanced level of care is required. Don’t fall into this trap!
The caregiver and caregiving agency: what kind of training has the caregiver received? Does he or she come from a reputable agency that has trained, licensed and bonded the person coming into your or a loved one’s home? Keep in mind that at the outset, this person is a stranger so naturally you want some assurance that he or she is qualified and trustworthy. There needs to be a written care agreement that’s signed by all parties so you know exactly what services will be provided. Is the caregiver/agency insured, is the agency taking out the proper taxes from the caregiver’s paycheck, or is it some “hole-in-the-wall” operation? These are things Medicaid looks into when deciding whether to pay for such care, so you need to have these answers in advance. If the caregiver and agency falls short in any of these areas, you can be held liable. Here, for example, you could be sued if the caregiver injuries him or herself while attempting to lift the client or performing other duties. Because of this, we strongly suggest doing your homework and contacting only reputable agencies. The bottom line here: do research and ask questions!
Adult children’s role: it’s a fact; more often than not seniors will involve their adult children in the home care process. It may be calling on them to help select the caregiver, or in some cases have the child move in to provide the care/or move into the children’s home themself Studies show that in some cases, adult children quit their job or will reduce their hours to provide care. Because of this, the parent may look to pay them for their services. Based on how the financial arrangements are specifically done, this may or may not cause some red flags for Medicaid! Another question here- is the adult child even qualified to provide quality caregiving assistance? Just because he or she is a son or daughter doesn’t mean they know how and what to do, according to the needs at-hand.
An overview: seniors, if given the option will want to receive care at home. However this may or may not be the best option. One other important item to consider: the senior receiving home care may eventually require the type of hands-on care that only a nursing home staff provides. Such care in Ohio nursing homes can run as high as $10,000.00 per month. Because of this, Medicaid eligibility is something that’s of principal concern in most cases to help pay these costs. WARNING: do not potentially disqualify yourself (or a loved one) from obtaining needed Medicaid benefits because you failed to keep proper home care records! At the Stano Law Firm, our knowledgeable team can help you navigate what you must do to obtain Medicaid benefits for both in-home and nursing home care. Call our office at 440-888-6448 for a free consultation or visit us at StanoLaw.com
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