Senior Care Services

Aging can sometimes be difficult for your loved one and you and your family. The wide array of mixed emotions–guilt, stress, confusion, frustration–you’re feeling is common, and your local Homewatch CareGivers franchise is here to help make sense of it all. Our local team of professional caregivers can give you the peace of mind you've been missing, all while doing everything they can to ensure the comfort and safety of your elder loved one.

Each Homewatch CareGivers location’s in-home elder care services are personalized to meet the unique needs of your family, type of living arrangements, and at-home care needed. The caregivers are screened and receive continuous training to include skills validation checks. Homewatch CareGivers believes that anybody's quality of life can be improved with the right type of elder care.

What is Senior Care for Elders?

Senior care, also called elderly care or elder care, covers a range of in-home care services for people who are age 65 and older in need of assistance with activities of daily living in the home. Everyday activities can be difficult when experiencing the challenges brought on by aging or living with chronic conditions. Even the simplest tasks such as meal preparation, grocery shopping, or tidying up around the home can become taxing to complete.

The exact type of care that is needed depends on the type of assistance required and challenges you and your loved one may be currently facing, such as scheduling, distance, and physical limitations. Providing elder care for the senior in your life can help them re-engage with activities, family, and friends as they age, leading to improved well-being and a renewed sense of independence!

Types of In-Home Care for Elders

In-home care offers impactful one-on-one engagement for seniors. While assisted living communities and nursing homes provide reliable care, many people prefer to age in their existing home. At Homewatch CareGivers, our team helps seniors age in place around familiar surroundings.

We offer a large variety of specialty senior care services that are tailored to your needs:

Companion Care

Social isolation can lead to chronic loneliness, noticed significantly more often in the elderly. A cornerstone of our senior care services is companion care. Caregivers engage with their clients with friendly conversation, learn more about them, and participate in their favorite hobbies or activities. This helps your loved one stay involved, feel appreciated, and remain connected.

Personal Care

Caregivers assist with any day-to-day personal care needs that may have or will become challenging to perform for people who are living with chronic conditions or in advanced age. A highly qualified team is here to help your senior remain independent while still providing help with personal care tasks, such as:

• Grooming and bathing assistance
• Bathroom assistance and other personal hygiene
• Ambulation and mobility assistance

Nursing Care

To meet the needs of seniors with significant medical conditions, some Homewatch CareGivers offices may provide in-home nursing care that is performed by one or more:

• RNs – Registered Nurses
• LPNs – Licensed Practical Nurses
• LVNs – Licensed Vocational Nurses

Nursing services* can help your loved one continue to get the care they need in the home, including healthcare coordination and referrals as well as other recommendations to improve their well-being.

24-Hour Care

To ensure the safety of your aging loved one and the peace of mind of you and your family, 24-hour care may be the best option. This is completed via a team of caregivers scheduled throughout the entire day or possibly a single live-in caregiver in some locations. This type of care will be tailored to meet your needs and ensure someone is on standby in-home for your loved one or family around the clock.

Respite Care

Caring for a loved one is very rewarding but doesn't go without its demands. While it's often overlooked, Homewatch CareGivers understands the importance of the health and well-being of family caregivers. Whether you're a son, daughter, spouse, other family member or friend – each caregiving team provides the relief you need to take a well-deserved break to rest and recharge.

After Hospital Care

The transition from a facility back home can be challenging for seniors, not to mention critical to their health. This transition needs to be handled with compassion and person-centered care. A Homewatch Caregivers team can help ensure the discharge plan is followed and the transition – and care after that – goes as smoothly as possible for the well-being of your loved one.

Chronic Condition Care

Caring for and living with chronic disease, conditions, and the challenges that come with it can be overwhelming. We create comprehensive in-home chronic condition care for elders, focusing on more than just a person's condition. Each caregiver is qualified and receives training in specialty chronic condition care. Homewatch CareGivers will help your family and loved one establish a plan of care to assist with the specific condition and the hardships presented.

Dementia Care

While dementia presents several challenges related to daily tasks and cognitive function, Homewatch CareGivers strives to create care plans that focus on your loved one's current abilities instead of what may be declining.

Elder dementia care focuses on promoting positive well-being, continually tailored to meet any needs as the condition progresses.

After Surgery Care

Homewatch CareGivers provides after-surgery care to help your loved one return back to health in the comfort of their home. The transition from the hospital back home is crucial to seniors' well-being, so care plans will reflect the discharge instructions created by medical professionals. A caregiver can help to reduce the risk of falls, provide medication reminders, all while proving to be reliable and compassionate.

Senior Transportation

As you age, getting around town can get more challenging. With the help of a caregiver, your loved one can have the necessary transportation needed to get where they need to go. Homewatch CareGivers has a team that can provide elder transportation to:

• Pharmacy
• Grocery store
• Family's home
• Community centers
• Doctor's appointment
• Therapy appointment
• Restaurants or cafes
• Places of worship

The Roots of Compassion & Kindness Apply to Everything We Do Read Our Story

Providing In-Home Care and In-Home Health Care for Seniors

Homewatch CareGivers was founded on making sure individuals receive the care they need in the surroundings they love. Age shouldn't define your quality of life, and a Homewatch CareGivers team is here for seniors who need assistance to live in their homes and get the exact care they need to do so.

Key Differences Between In-Home Care and In-Home Health Care

While in-home care and in-home health care are both completed in the comfort of the client's home and are often used together to establish the most comprehensive elder care plan possible, they present several differences:

In-Home Care

The majority of in-home senior care focuses on non-medical services, including completing personal care tasks such as bathing, transportation, medication reminders, light housekeeping, meal preparation, companionship, and other responsibilities to ensure seniors' well-being.

In-Home Health Care

In-home senior health care focuses on medical-related services in a home setting. The type of in-home health care includes in-home visits from physical therapists, monitoring complicated medical conditions, routine wound care, IV assistance, pain management, and other medical functions, along with the help of daily personal care tasks like personal hygiene and dressing.

How Much Does In-Home Care Cost?

Based on our experience, the average cost of in-home elder care services is between $2,000 and $3,000+ a month for ~20 hours of care. This is a wide range, and the exact cost can depend on several factors, including:

• Frequency of Care – Does your loved one need care once a week? A few times a week? Every day? Or maybe 24-hour care is a better option? Whatever the cause, the amount of care needed every week can alter the price of your services.
• Type of Care – Do you need in-home care or in-home health care? The type of care needed can determine the price of services. No matter the state, medical-related services will always be more than basic caregiving.
• Location of Care – The state you're in can affect the price of your care. It's best to always check with your local Homewatch CareGivers agency for the most accurate answer.

While it is not possible to provide an exact answer here regarding the costs of elder care in your area, our team is readily available to learn more about your family's needs and get you started on a quote for in-home elder caregiving services.

Explore Our Financial Options & Programs

When deciding to opt-in for elder in-home care, it's essential to consider a plan that captures all of your needs – including your budget. A large part of community commitment is offering the options and resources needed to help your family get started on in-home care when paying out of pocket or using private insurance isn't an option.

VA Aid & Attendance Benefits

Seniors and survivors eligible for VA Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits receive monthly payments on top of their current VA pension to help with in-home caregiving services.

Veterans may be eligible to receive this extra financial support if they meet one or more of the following qualifications:

• You need another person to assist with daily activities such as bathing, feeding, and dressing
• You spend a large portion of the day spent in bed because of an illness
• You are a patient in a nursing home due to the loss of mental or physical abilities
• Your eyesight is limited even with the help of prescription corrective lenses

Long-Term Care Insurance

If your loved one requires non-medical in-home care, long-term care insurance can help cover the cost of a caregiver assisting with daily living needs such as bathing, eating, bathing, and transportation, all in the home. Additionally, it can help cover the cost of residential modifications and the purchase of at-home medical equipment. Most of the time, your long-term insurance can cover a live-in caregiver, companion, or in-home nurse up to seven days a week, for 24 hours a day.

Medicare

Medicare is health insurance provided by the federal government for people 65 or older. The ability to use Medicare to pay for in-home care continues to evolve. While some Medicare Advantage plans are starting to cover select in-home care services in a number of states, the majority of Medicare plans only cover medical in-home care. To be eligible, your loved one who is over 65 years of age must:

• Currently be under the medical advisory of a physician that has created and routinely reviews an at-home health care plan
• Have had a doctor certify that they need at home nursing care or other in-home health care
• Be receiving care from a health care agency that is Medicare-certified

Medicaid

Medicaid provides federal assistance to people in need, including those 65 or older. While this can help cover some of the cost, Medicaid may not be enough to cover the entire cost of in-home caregiving services. The exact amount covered depends on the state you're looking for care in.

Emergency Back-Up Care

With 73% of employees being responsible for caregiving, it's crucial to have a back-up plan. Back-up care is a safety net that ensures you have care for children and senior care if your typical in-home care solution falls through. You can often find this type of service through employee benefits and can help you keep to your personal work or school schedule.

Signs That It May Be Time for In-Home Care

While your parent, aging spouse, or other senior loved one is living at home fully independent, there may come a day where extra help around the home is needed from a professional caregiver. To know when it may be time to consider in-home care, be sure to look out for these common sign:

Worsening Health Issues

If a health condition has gotten worse, it may be time to consider in-home care. Chronic conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, dementia, and heart disease worsen with age, so it's vital to establish in-home care as soon as it is needed. Doing so can help make the transition into care easier and ensure they can continue living at home as long as possible.

Increase in Number of Falls or Accidents

Seniors who are at risk of falling, have fallen recently, or are at risk for accidents will benefit from having an in-home caregiver. Having someone there in case an emergency occurs, ensures your loved one can get help quickly. This could decrease the chances of accidents happening while performing daily actions.

Changes in Behavior

Aging, the onset of dementia or Alzheimer's disease, and other chronic conditions can cause changes in behavior over time. The most common behavioral changes noticed in elders include:

• Sudden outbursts
• Repeated requests
• Change in sleep patterns
• Increased expressions of aggression
• Wandering
• Anxiety and depression
• Lack of interest in things

Unhealthy or Unusual Diets

Another sign that your aging loved one may need in-home care is developing unhealthy eating habits or strange diets. This can include eating food that they wouldn't normally eat and adding processed and unhealthy food into their diets. An in-home caregiver can help do the grocery shopping, weekly meal planning, and nightly meal prep needed to ensure a nutritious diet for your loved one.

Neglect of the Home

If the home of your loved one is being neglected, either in the form of messes not being cleaned up, laundry and typical tasks being ignored, or general untidiness, it can be a sign that they are struggling and need support. Many conditions associated with aging can make performing housework difficult, and seniors may be too shy or prideful to ask for help. Having a caregiver help take care of the home can help them regain their independence and ensure they live in a safe and healthy environment.

A Decline in Hygiene and Grooming

Often, cognitive decline can cause the elderly to have some difficulty in completing daily personal care tasks, including bathing, brushing their teeth, and properly grooming. If your aging loved one has unusual body odor, unkempt hair, or is experiencing other signs of poor hygiene, an at-home caregiver could provide the extra motivation, reminder, and assistance needed to maintain their personal hygiene.

Increased Forgetfulness

Memory loss is a common occurrence in aging adults. Forgetting a few things here and there may seem like nothing at the time, but asking the same question repeatedly, not remembering everyday things, or constantly losing things in the home can mean a decline in cognitive health. When this occurs, they should see their health care provider and after receiving a definitive diagnosis, in-home care should strongly be considered.

Decreased Mobility

Getting around the house easily is something we might all take for granted. If your loved one is having trouble going from room to room or simply getting to the bathroom, even with the help of a walker, in-home care may be needed to decrease the chance of falls and other accidents around the home.

Loss of Interest in Activities and Hobbies

Anhedonia, or losing interest in activities or hobbies once enjoyed, is a common and often overlooked mental health condition the elderly often suffers from. This loss of interest can lead to the withdrawal from social activities, not maintaining personal relationships, and even gaining negative feelings towards themselves, their inner circle, and the overall world. Our empathic caregivers look to help seniors regain their love for life, establishing a regular routine, engaging in friendly conversation, participating in hobbies once enjoyed, and focusing on life's positives.

In-Home Care for Myself or a Loved One

Finding nearby in-home care for yourself or your loved one can be intimidating, especially if you are an elder on your own. A team of professional caregivers, friendly support staff, and the testimonials of countless happy families are here to show you that Homewatch CareGivers is the leader in senior and elder care. Whether you're looking for help caring for yourself, your spouse, or your parent, your Homewatch CareGivers team is here with the best in-home caregiving plan.

Care for Myself

If you're not ready for traditional nursing homes or other assisted living communities and want to stay at home around the things you love, Homewatch CareGivers provides in-home care to help make that possible. Like most care decisions, it can be a difficult step to take, but one that will only benefit you and your family in the future. Plans are forever customizable, allowing caregivers to tailor things specifically to your needs as they change.

Care for My Spouse

Seeing a spouse age and come face to face with the complications that come along with it can be difficult. Caregiving provides your loved one with the care they need and deserve right in the comfort of their own home and provides the support you need to rest and take time for yourself. You'll have the ultimate peace of mind knowing your loved one is being taken care of by compassionate, professional caregivers.

Care for My Parent

Just as our parents took care of us, there will come a day that you might need to care for them. If your parent is elderly and searching for in-home care, whether to address a specific condition or daily personal care tasks, Homewatch CareGivers helps you find the best match. Our team hopes to provide you the continued support you need to make sure your parent has help when needed and give you the ability to live your own life and continue to just be their child.

Hiring an Elder or Senior Care Agency VS An Independent Caregiver

Once you've decided to hire a caregiver for your loved one or yourself, you're faced with the decision of choosing to hire through a senior care agency or look for an individual caregiver. While the latter may seem like a good idea, primarily due to it being possibly cheaper than hiring a senior care agency, it's important to remember that doing so forces you and your family to take on the responsibility of being the employer as much as you are the client. You may have to handle everything from interviews and background checks, insurance, any gaps in care and availability, along with any necessary training needed as medical conditions decline.

Turning to a senior care agency ensures you're working with a licensed business that employs many caregivers, specializing in both medical and non-medical care, thoroughly screened and extensively trained. Choosing a senior care agency like Homewatch CareGivers continues to be the most consistently trustworthy and reliable elder in-home caregiver option.

The Benefits of Hiring Homewatch CareGivers for Home Care and Home Health Care

Once you decide to go with a senior care agency for your elder care services, you'll begin searching for the best one nearby. Homewatch CareGivers continues to receive recognition for delivering the best in-home care and setting industry standards.

When you hire Homewatch CareGivers, you'll benefit from:

• Extensively Trained Caregivers – Homewatch CareGivers hires friendly, compassionate, and qualified caregivers. To continue their knowledge of delivering the best senior care, each Homewatch CareGivers business owner ensures that every caregiver receives at least 12 hours of employee training annually and additional training as needed.
• In-Person Quality Assurance – Every 90 days, caregivers are reviewed for delivery of quality care and skill sets are evaluated during an in-person Quality Assurance visit. This ensures your plan is followed and the quality of care remains consistent.
• Use of Professional Tools – Homewatch CareGivers offices are able to utilize professionally developed care tools like the GPCOG (General Practitioner assessment of Cognition), sleep scale and Lawton Activities of Daily Living tool to help us deliver the best care possible. Many of these tools have been used for many years to help seniors and other individuals of all ages.

When choosing Homewatch CareGivers for your elder care services, you're choosing a team that is wholly committed to delivering compassionate care designed to improve your loved one's well-being and quality of life.

Contact Our Team to Learn More About Our In-Home Elder & Senior Care Services Today!

To get started on your personalized in-home senior care plan for yourself, your spouse, your parent, or another loved one, reach out to a team by locating your local Homewatch CareGivers caregiving agency. Whether you need in-home care within a few hours or you're just beginning to explore your loved one's senior living and in-home care options, we're confident that there is a Homewatch CareGivers elder care option that can meet your specific needs and unique situation.

*Services will vary by location. Check with your local Homewatch CareGiver office to confirm all available services in your area. Each location is individually owned and operated.