Author: AmeriBest Home Care

As your loved one ages, you want to ensure that you do what’s best for them. This is especially true if they live with a chronic health condition or disability. The decision between home care and an assisted living community is challenging, as both services provide advantages for seniors who require assisted living in Philadelphia, PA. Let’s look at what home care offers and why it may be the right choice for your loved one.

 

What Is an Assisted Living Facility?

Assisted living is full-time, long-term care that provides care for seniors on-site. These provide care for those who need a lot of assistance with daily living but don’t need the medical assistance provided by a nursing home. Assisted living residents share common areas but generally have their own private residences. They also have access to services like housekeeping, transportation, and recreational activities.

 

What is Home Care?

Home care involves a senior living at home, either alone or with family members. A caregiver visits on a regular basis to provide needed personal care, housekeeping assistance, or minor medical needs. Because home care can be tailored to a senior’s specific needs, seniors can receive the same level of care in their home that they would receive from an assisted living facility.

 

What Are the Benefits In-Home Care over Assisted Living in Philadelphia?

Both home care and assisted living provide Philadelphia seniors with benefits as they age. The right option depends on your loved one’s needs. However, home care does provide unique benefits to seniors, including,

 

Aging at Home

Home care services allow seniors to age in their own homes, close to friends, family, and their community. This, in turn, decreases a senior’s likelihood of experiencing loneliness and isolation.

Home Care is Customizable

Because home care takes place at the senior’s home, the care is fully customizable. Seniors can receive only the services they need and find the right person to provide those services.

 

Home Care Is More Affordable than Assisted Living

Assisted living comes with a larger price tag than home care services. This is in part because they come with 24-hour care and on-site services (which your loved one may not necessarily need or want). Because you only pay for the services you need with home care, the costs are as customizable as the services you receive.

 

Home Care Provides Relief for Family Caregivers

Often family members are seniors’ primary caregivers. However, you often need time for yourself, whether for the doctor, your partner, or just downtime for self-care. Home care provides valuable respite care for primary caregivers to ensure they meet their own physical, emotional, and mental well-being.

Home Care Provides Companionship

One concern families have when a senior wants to age at home is that they may experience isolation. Home care services include companionship services, ensuring that seniors have someone to bond with and enjoy activities and meals with.

 

Are You Looking for Home Care or Assisted Living in Philadelphia, PA?

At AmeriBest Home Care, we want to empower you to choose the right care for you or your loved one. Whether you’re caring for elderly parents or someone with a disability, it’s important to consider your options carefully. Contact us today to discuss your options with one of our program coordinators.

 

Did you know that Medicare covers almost 3 million Pennsylvania residents? In addition to Traditional Medicare, seniors have at least 50 Medicare Advantage plans available to them, which can seem overwhelming. At AmeriBest Home Care, we strive to help seniors make the best choices for their home and health care. Here is our comprehensive guide to your options available through Medicare in Philadelphia PA.

Medicare Philadelphia PA: Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage

Original Medicare, or Traditional Medicare, includes hospitalization insurance (Part A) and medical insurance (Part B). The government pays for healthcare costs and a beneficiary can obtain care anywhere in the country so long as they accept Medicare. With Medicare Part A, if you or your spouse paid into Medicare through your wages, coverage is typically free. Medicare Part B typically has a monthly premium.

Original Medicare Part A and B cover hospitalization and most outpatient services. However, it doesn’t cover prescription drugs. Likewise, it doesn’t cover dental care or routine vision care.

Medicare Advantage is a private coverage alternative to Original Medicare. Where Original Medicare only includes hospitalization and medical coverage, Medicare Advantage often includes prescription coverage (Part D), as well as other supplemental benefits such as vision and dental.

Because Medicare Advantage is managed through private insurers, consumers have multiple options for coverage, based on their needs and services available in their area including HMOs (health maintenance organizations) and PPOs (preferred provider organizations).

Advantage plans cover the essential services of Medicare Part A and Part B. However, Advantage plans don’t cover hospice care. Fortunately, Original Medicare covers hospice, even if you’re enrolled in Medicare Advantage.

The costs for Medicare Advantage vary based on the insurance provider. Some plans offer integrated Part D, meaning that beneficiaries only pay premiums for Part B, just as they would with Original Medicare. While premiums are widely variable, they’re often less expensive for consumers than Original Medicare with the addition of Medigap coverage. When considering cost, it’s important to look at the out-of-pocket costs on Medicare Advantage plans, as these establish how much a patient must pay for care before Medicare picks up the costs.

 

Medigap

Medigap is supplemental coverage that helps to pick up the gaps left behind by Medicare Part A and Part B. This includes covering co-pays and deductibles as well as plans that cover emergency expenses when traveling outside of the country. If you’re enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B, you can purchase Medigap coverage.

Medicaid

Medicaid is a government-funded program that provides low-income and disabled Americans with health insurance coverage. Seniors who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid, may receive full benefits under both programs (known as full-benefit dual-eligibles) or have Medicare but receive Medicaid to help pay expenses like Medicare premiums (called partial duals).

Are You Considering Options for Medicare in Philadelphia, PA?

At AmeriBest Home Care, we want to empower you to choose the right plan and care for you or your loved one. Whether you’re caring for elderly parents or someone with a disability, it’s important to consider your options carefully. Contact us today to discuss your options with one of our program coordinators.