In-Home Care

The decision to age in place is a significant one. Ironically, whereas skilled in-home care is often covered by insurance, policies such as Medicare are limited in their coverage of more routine in-home services. Medicare will not cover, “Personal care given by home health aides like bathing, dressing, and using the bathroom when this is the only care you need.” Therefore, before deciding whether a loved one can age in place, consider the assistance (s)he may need and whether the family will pay out-of-pocket or be eligible for insurance coverage. Utilize adaptive clothing and make simple modifications to the home to make daily living easier. Ensure the person has easy access to help if needed. Overall, while the benefits to aging in place are many, there are financial costs to be considered and adequate planning is a must!