Elderly Care in Harrisburg, PA: How to Find the Best Support and Services for Aging Adults

Has your aging loved one expressed a desire to age at home, but you worry about their care and safety? In our modern age, family members aren’t always able to serve as primary caregivers for their aging loved ones. For those who started their families later, they still have young children they’re caring for. Others have careers and financial responsibilities that demand too much of their time. In many cases, they simply live too far away from their loved ones to be a caregiver. If you need elderly care in Harrisburg, PA for your loved one, it’s important to know what to look for and how to find the best services.

Plan Ahead for Senior Home Care in Harrisburg, PA

The first step to finding elderly care services is to plan before you need them. Consider what you or your loved one may need as you age and how your living situation might change. Will you age in the home you live in, or do you plan to move into a smaller home or apartment? Do you have a chronic health condition that will create complications as you age? You should also consider your family history and how your parents and grandparents age.

If you’re approaching this as you need home care for yourself or a loved one, these are still key questions to ask.

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What Support Does Your Loved One Need to Age at Home?

Once you’re looking at the reality of aging at home, it’s important to consider what your loved one needs to live independently. You have many choices for elderly care in Harrisburg, PA. Knowing what your loved one needs will help you make the right choices. It’s important that you,

  • Talk to your loved one about their needs and concerns.
  • Look at their personal care routines and if they need assistance with them.
  • Consider the household chores they have, including shopping, and determine if they need help with them.
  • Look at their diet and dietary needs.
  • Take into account their health and medical care needs.
  • Look at their financial situation to see what they (and you) can afford and what financial support options are available to them.
  • Consider their community activities and if they have regular access to family and friends.

Match Needs with Resources

In some cases, your loved one may have most or all the resources they need to age at home. If they don’t have a chronic illness or limited mobility, for example, they may not need additional assistance with household chores or personal care (however, you should still plan). If they are part of a religious organization, they may have volunteers around them willing to help with household chores, transportation, or even personal care needs. They may have family members around them that can serve as part-time or even full-time caregivers.

As you consider your loved one’s homecare needs, it’s important that you take these resources into account. You empower your loved one to stay connected to family and community, which leads to better outcomes when aging at home. You also help them focus on what additional services they may need to ensure all their needs are met.

Are You Looking for Home Health Care in Harrisburg, PA?

If you’re looking for home health care for you or a loved one, contact us today. One of our program coordinators can discuss your needs and help you select the program and services that are right for you.

 

Navigating Medicare in Philadelphia, PA: A Comprehensive Guide to Your Health Insurance Options

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.

How to Choose from Home Health Care Agencies in Allentown, PA

 

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.