Category: Seniors care

Home Health Aide Allentown, PA: Maintain Health and Independence

Living independently is closely linked to older adults’ overall health and well-being. However, remaining independent as we age can be a challenge. Fortunately, agencies like AmeriBest Home Care employ home health aide Allentown, PA, that can help you or your aging loved one maintain independence.

Promote Safety with a Home Health Aide Allentown PA

If your aging loved one lives with limited mobility or a chronic illness or if they’ve recently been injured or are recovering from surgery, safety is a primary concern. Home health aides help to ensure that seniors can navigate their homes safely. This includes,

Securing rugs
Installing handrails in bathrooms
Assisting in the repair of uneven flooring
Providing walkers and other mobility aids

Home health caregivers can also help ensure that rooms have adequate lighting, set up night lights in halls and bathrooms, and routinely check batteries in smoke detectors. They can also assist seniors with many household chores so that homes remain neat and free of clutter.

Home Health Aides Encourage Connections for Seniors

Independent living doesn’t have to mean living in solitude. Home health aides provide valuable companionship to seniors who live alone. They can also provide transportation assistance to help seniors visit family and engage with their communities. They also encourage the use of technology so that seniors can stay connected with family who live out of state.

Seeing to a Senior’s Health Needs

In addition to companionship and home care needs, home health caregivers can help seniors with their health care needs. This often comes in the form of,

Personal care to help seniors maintain good hygiene
Meal planning and preparation to ensure a balanced diet
Medication reminders
Transportation for doctor visits
Keeping records of the senior’s activities and daily health

Feeling powerless in the face of aging is a fear many of us have. Home health care helps seniors live independently. By assisting with important daily activities, they ensure that seniors’ needs are met. They can also provide a voice for seniors, encouraging them to speak up to family and medical professionals about their needs. Home health aides can also be an advocate for seniors’ needs, helping to ensure they maintain their independence.

Are You Looking for a Home Health Aide Allentown 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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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

It’s important to choose the home health services that you need, whether for yourself or for your senior loved one. With so many providers to choose from, how do you choose from the home health care agencies in Harrisburg, PA? Let’s look at what you should consider when choosing a provider for yourself or your loved one.

A Checklist of Questions

As you consider providers, it’s important to ask the right questions to help you judge their services. Here are some questions you should include in your checklist.

How long has the provider been serving the community?
Do they provide literature that explains their services, eligibility, cost, fees, and funding?
Do they have a “Patient’s Bill of Rights” and what does it contain?
Do they have an annual report for the public or other educational materials for the public to review?
How do they select and train their employees?
What credentials and certifications do they require of employees?
Does it provide personnel policies, benefits, and malpractice insurance?
How do they go about evaluating a patient’s needs? Who do they speak with to determine specific needs?
Does the provider include the patient and family members in creating a care plan?
How does the provider handle request to change the care plan?
Do the patient and family receive a copy of the care plan?
Are treatments and tasks documented?
Do caregivers educate the patient and family members about the care being administered?
Do supervisors oversee patient care? How often?
Who can the patient or family contact with concerns, questions, or complaints?
How does the provider resolve problems or follow up on concerns?
What are the emergency procedures that caregivers follow?
If necessary, are caregivers available 24/7?
What are the financial procedures of the provider?
Is there a statement explaining costs and fees provided to the patient and family?
What are payment options?
Does the agency provide education or guidance regarding financial and health care assistance?
How does the agency ensure patient privacy and confidentiality?
What references can the agency provide?

When you receive references, be sure to follow up on them. Ask them questions like,

Do you frequently refer clients to this provider?
Do you have a contractual relationship with the provider and do you require that they provide a certain quality of care?
Have you received feedback from other patients about this provider and what kind of feedback did you receive?

Assessing Home Health Care Agencies in Harrisburg, PA

Once you’ve received answers to the questions on your checklist, it’s important to review them with your loved one, family, and their physician. Determine what questions are most important to the needs of your loved one. If you’re unhappy with the answers that you received, then the agency may not be the right choice for you. Interview multiple agencies to match the services and care they offer with what your loved one needs.

Looking for a Top-Rated Home Care in Harrisburg, PA?

Looking for a Home Health Caregiver in Allentown, PA? Consider AmeriBest!

As we age, we often require more assistance and care, especially if we have health conditions that limit our mobility and ability to perform daily tasks. While nursing homes and assisted living facilities may seem like a great option, many seniors prefer to remain in their own homes, surrounded by their familiar environment and loved ones. This is where home care services come in. If you’re looking for a home health caregiver in Allentown, PA – we’ll be happy to help!

Who Is AmeriBest Home Care?

AmeriBest Home Care is a licensed home care agency that has been providing compassionate and reliable home care services to seniors and people with disabilities in Pennsylvania for over a decade. Our mission is simple but important to us and the families we serve: to improve the quality of life for our clients and their families by providing personalized care that meets their individual needs and preferences.

Our ability to meet this mission lies in our team of caregivers. We carefully screen and select our caregivers to ensure that they have the right skills, experience, and personality to provide exceptional care. All caregivers undergo extensive background checks, reference checks, and training before they are assigned to a client, even if it’s their loved one or a family member. This ensures that clients receive care from knowledgeable and trustworthy caregivers who are dedicated to their well-being.

Quality Services from a Home Health Caregiver in Allentown, PA

AmeriBest Home Care offers a wide range of home care services in Allentown PA, including,

Personal care services include assistance with
- Bathing
- Grooming
- Toileting
- Dressing
- Other activities of daily living
Companion care services including
- Companionship
- Transportation
- Meal preparation
- Light housekeeping
- Medication reminders
Respite care services providing temporary relief to family caregivers

In addition to our high-quality care services, AmeriBest Home Care also offers a variety of resources and support to our clients and their families. We provide regular updates and communication to keep clients and their families informed about their care and progress. We also offer info help, advice and local resources to help clients and their families better understand and manage their health conditions.

A Commitment to Care

AmeriBest Home Care is committed to providing accessible home care services to all who need them. We accept a variety of payment options, including Medicaid, private insurance, and private pay. We also offer free consultations to help clients and their families determine the best care plan for their needs and financial situation.

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

Independent Living in Philadelphia, PA: The What, How, Cost, and Alternatives

If you or a loved one is aging, you may be looking for alternatives. Should you consider aging at home or an assisted living facility? What about independent living in Philadelphia PA? At AmeriBest Home Care, we’re committed to educating our communities on the alternatives available to them. Let’s look at the option of independent living and what it entails.

What Is Independent Living?

Independent living is a housing arrangement aimed at seniors aged 55 and older. These are living communities that offer services and amenities that seniors generally need as they age. While specifics vary by community, they typically offer,

Home maintenance
Transportation services
Security
Meal plans

Who Is Independent Living Ideal for?

For seniors who want to live independently and don’t need assistance with daily living activities, independent living is a good alternative. It provides additional security and allows seniors to live in neighborhoods with other seniors.

What Is the Cost of Independent Living?

The cost of independent living varies across different communities. In retirement communities, residents typically have the option to either rent or buy their homes, in addition to paying a monthly fee that covers maintenance and amenities, similar to a homeowner’s association fee.

On the other hand, Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCSRs) may charge additional fees, as they have nursing staff and provide dining credits, among other things. Prospective residents are often required to pay a large entrance fee to reserve a space and gain access to medical care, with monthly fees after moving in potentially reaching as high as $5,000. Whether CCSR is a suitable option depends on factors such as whether the individual lives alone or with someone else and the level of care they require, as well as whether they can afford the entrance fee and monthly fees. (Source)

Do Medicaid and Medicare Pay for Independent Living in Philadelphia PA?

Medicaid and Medicare don’t cover the costs for independent living communities. However, seniors who need help with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) may qualify for financial assistance programs to help cover their care costs.

What Are the Alternatives to Independent Living?

Independent living isn’t the right choice for everyone. Fortunately, seniors have other options to independent living communities. Depending on a senior’s needs, some of these alternatives may be covered by Medicare and Medicaid.

Assisted living facilities provide a high level of care for seniors. While the highest cost option, the facilities can be the best choice for seniors who are unable to live independently and need 24-hour care.

Home care services allow seniors to age at home without needing to move to an independent community. Service providers like AmeriBest Home Care provide a variety of services that help seniors manage everything from meals and personal care to transportation.

Living with the family is another option for aging seniors. For seniors who are able to live independently without personal assistance, living with a child or other relative allows them to stay in their communities and close to family. Often family members will provide care when a senior loved one needs daily living assistance. For these caregivers, providers like AmeriBest Home Care can provide respite care to allow them to see to emergencies and other needs.

Are You Looking for Home Care or Independent Living in Philadelphia?

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.

Senior Services in PA: April Is National Minority Health Month

It’s April, a month for gentle showers, planting flowers, and focusing on elderly and disabled people in minority communities. Yes, it’s National Minority Health Month. Let’s look at the unique challenges minorities face and how senior services in PA can help.

The Origins of National Minority Health Month

This month’s awareness focus has its origins in 1915, when Booker T. Washington sought to bring health awareness to African American communities. In 2002, the US Congress officially recognized his efforts and designated April as National Minority Health Month. The purpose of this month is to,

Build awareness about the disproportionate burden of illness and premature death among people of color
Encourage action through education, detection, and treatment

Why Addressing Health Disparities Matters

A 2011 study found that if preventable diseases such as hypertension and stroke were addressed in Latino and African American communities to the same degree as they were in non-Latino white communities, we would save almost $24 billion dollars in health care costs. While the amount of money alone is staggering, it points to something far more important: the number of people who suffer and die because of disparities in our healthcare system.

These are problems that persist over ten years after this study, as people of color are still more likely to be ignored or have their concerns dismissed. For example, black women are more likely to have complaints about pain being ignored compared to white women, which contributes to black women being more likely to die in childbirth compared to white women. Considering the risks that people of all ethnic and racial groups face as they age, such as osteoporosis and the increased risk of injury from falls, you can see how this disparity in treatment can result in poor outcomes for people of color.

How Senior Services in PA Help Overcome Health Care Disparities

At AmeriBest Home Care, we ensure that our caregivers provide help for seniors in Philadelphia that addresses all their concerns. As we tailor our services to the individual needs of patients and families, we listen to not only understand the care services they want but the care they receive currently and in the past from other health providers. Through attention and care, in-home care professionals can help seniors get the healthcare they need by,

Ensuring healthcare providers understand the severity and impact of the condition in question
Noting and relating symptoms that a patient displays regularly that they may not consider
Acting as an advocate for care
Supporting the prescribed care plan and delivering care at home

Are You Looking for Help for Seniors in Philadelphia, PA?

Senior Care in Harrisburg PA: Here’s What AmeriBest Home Care Offers

Do you have an elderly loved one who needs senior care in Harrisburg, PA? Family members are the first people most seniors turn to when they need care. Whether you’re looking for respite care options while you care for your loved one or you’re looking for home-based senior care in Harrisburg, PA, let’s look at what AmeriBest Home Care offers your loved one.

What Is Senior Care?

Senior care is a broad term that covers a wide array of services. Senior care services in Harrisburg, PA can include personal care services (bathing and personal hygiene), medication management, meal planning and preparation, chore assistance, and transportation. Depending on a senior’s needs, Medicaid may cover some or all their home care needs.

What Does AmeriBest Home Care Offer Seniors in Harrisburg, PA?

AmeriBest Home Care provides reliable, community-based home care for seniors in Harrisburg. We tailor our services based on what your loved one needs. We can provide,

Support services
Respite care
Transportation assistance
Light housekeeping
Activities of daily living (ADLs)
Instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs)

All of our paraprofessionals are vetted, trained, and covered by insurance. In addition to providing you with expert caregivers, we can also train friends or family members to serve as a caregiver for your loved one.

What Are ADLs and IADLs?

Activities of daily living (ADLs) are the everyday tasks we do to care for ourselves and our home. These include personal care activities like bathing and dressing.

Instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) are also everyday tasks, but ones that require more planning and forethought. They include things like getting around the community, paying bills, shopping for groceries, and managing money or paying bills.

How Do I Choose Senior Care Services?

It’s important to choose senior care services that your loved one needs. Often, their physician will recommend types of services based on evaluating their ADL and IADL capabilities. Listen to your loved one as well. What concerns do they voice about living independently? What frustrations do they show with daily activities? AmeriBest Home Care works with seniors and their families to ensure they receive the services they need to live independent and healthy lives.

Are You Looking for Senior Care in Harrisburg, PA?

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

You want your loved one to have the best home health services as they age at home. With so many providers to choose from, how do you choose from the home health care agencies in Allentown, PA? Let’s look at what you should consider when choosing a provider for yourself or your loved one.

A Checklist of Questions

Consider creating a Checklist of Questions as you search for providers. Asking the right question helps you to determine what kind of care a service offers and if they’re the right match for your loved one. As you consider questions to add to the checklist, keep in mind,

Your loved one’s specific healthcare needs
Concerns that your loved one has expressed with regards to past caregivers
What your loved one’s goals are for living independently – everyone has their own idea of what independent living means, so make sure that a care provider understands your loved one’s needs and is prepared to meet them
Your loved one’s schedule for doctor visits, medications, therapy, and treatments, as well as any social and community activities they participate in

Remember to ask for references and follow up with those references. Due to patient privacy, you’ll likely only receive professional references such as doctors and therapists. Be sure you check review sites, especially those that focus on healthcare and home care, for testimonials, feedback, and complaints about the agencies that you consider.

Assessing Home Health Care Agencies in Allentown, PA

Remember to review the responses you receive from your checklist, references, and research with your loved one, family, and their physician. Determine what questions are most important to the needs of your loved one. If you’re unhappy with the answers that you received, then the agency may not be the right choice for you. Always trust your gut, even if you or your loved one can’t pinpoint a specific reason why you feel a certain way about an agency. Importantly, interview multiple agencies to match the services and care they offer with what your loved one needs.

Top Home Care Services in Allentown

Medicaid in Philadelphia: 101, Eligibility, How to Apply

Aging with comfort is important, but sometimes you need a little help with medical expenses. This is especially true if you have a chronic health condition. Fortunately, Medicaid in Philadelphia is available to those who need assistance with medical expenses. So, let’s look at what Medicaid (Medical Assistance) is, who is eligible, and how to apply.

What Is Medicaid?

Medical Assistance, or Medicaid, is a program that pays for health care and mental health services for eligible individuals. Medicaid is funded jointly by the federal government and states and is meant to provide those with low income or have special needs with the medical coverage they need.

Who Is Eligible for Medicaid in Philadelphia?

In Philadelphia, Medicaid or Medical Assistance eligibility is grouped two ways:

Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI)

Pregnant women
Children 18 and under
Parents and caregivers of children under 21
Adults 19-64 whose income is at or below 133% of the Federal Income Poverty Guidelines
Family planning services

Non-MAGI

Individuals 65 and older
Individuals who are blind and/or disabled
Medical Assistance Workers with Disabilities
Individuals receiving long-term care or home and community-based services

What Income is Counted Towards Eligibility?

Generally, the following income is taken into consideration when determining Medical Assistance eligibility,

Wages
Interest
Dividends
Social Security
Veterans’ Benefits (except for MAGI MA)
Pensions
Spouse’s income if living with them

Different groups may have different income requirements. At AmeriBest, we can educate you on requirements based on your specific situation.

How Do You Apply for Medicaid in Philadelphia?

The Department of Human Services provides multiple ways for Philadelphia residents to apply for Medical Assistance. This allows you to choose the method that best meets your needs. If you don’t know if you’re eligible, you can still apply:

Online using the COMPASS
By calling 1-866-550-4355 to apply online
In person at your local county assistance office (CAO)
By downloading or picking up a paper application from your local CAO and mailing it to them when you complete the application.

Category: Seniors care

Promote Safety with a Home Health Aide Allentown PA

Home Health Aides Encourage Connections for Seniors

Seeing to a Senior’s Health Needs

Are You Looking for a Home Health Aide Allentown PA?

Plan Ahead for Senior Home Care in Harrisburg, PA

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

Match Needs with Resources

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

Medicare Philadelphia PA: Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage

Medigap

Medicaid

Are You Considering Options for Medicare in Philadelphia, PA?

A Checklist of Questions

Assessing Home Health Care Agencies in Harrisburg, PA

Looking for a Top-Rated Home Care in Harrisburg, PA?

Who Is AmeriBest Home Care?

Quality Services from a Home Health Caregiver in Allentown, PA

A Commitment to Care

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

What Is Independent Living?

Who Is Independent Living Ideal for?

What Is the Cost of Independent Living?

Do Medicaid and Medicare Pay for Independent Living in Philadelphia PA?

What Are the Alternatives to Independent Living?

Are You Looking for Home Care or Independent Living in Philadelphia?

The Origins of National Minority Health Month

Why Addressing Health Disparities Matters

How Senior Services in PA Help Overcome Health Care Disparities

Are You Looking for Help for Seniors in Philadelphia, PA?

What Is Senior Care?

What Does AmeriBest Home Care Offer Seniors in Harrisburg, PA?

What Are ADLs and IADLs?

How Do I Choose Senior Care Services?

Are You Looking for Senior Care in Harrisburg, PA?

A Checklist of Questions

Assessing Home Health Care Agencies in Allentown, PA

Top Home Care Services in Allentown

What Is Medicaid?

Who Is Eligible for Medicaid in Philadelphia?

Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI)

Non-MAGI

What Income is Counted Towards Eligibility?

How Do You Apply for Medicaid in Philadelphia?

Do You Need Medical Assistance (Medicaid)?