Your Trusted Provider of Home Health Care in Harrisburg, PA

Home Health Care in Harrisburg, PA

When given the option, most seniors prefer to stay in their homes as they grow older. The problem remains that they often have problems that keep them from being wholly safe when alone in that environment. Some with balance issues, for example, may trip and fall on a rug. Those with shaking hands may break a glass and get cut. At this point, a family is left to make hard decisions for their loved one. No matter how capable the individual is, there comes a point when they need more assistance, and sometimes family and friends simply can’t keep up with the demands on their time. The idea of nursing homes is unpleasant. They feel cold and impersonal. So you’d like to find a way of having your family member in their own house, with whatever extra care they require. That’s where home health care in Harrisburg, PA comes into play.

Opening Discussion

When you start looking for caregivers, the task seems impossible. There are a lot of options, but you can take certain steps to find a trusted provider in home health care in Harrisburg, PA. We strongly recommend beginning your journey with a family discussion. You don’t want to just surprise your loved one with a stranger entering the home! Also, you don’t want the individual to feel as if you are robbing them of their independence in any way. So, diplomacy really matters here.

Ask everyone what they envision for home care. Bring the individual’s opinions to the table and listen actively. There is sometimes resistance to an unknown person providing care. Compare that uncertainty to having dozens of unknown people in a strange environment, and you’ll likely see that wall giveaway.

home health care harrisburg pa, home health care services harrisburg pa

Appraise Your Needs

With that touchy situation out of the way, you can think about how much help you need. What level of assistance do you envision?

  • Help with chores?
  • Meal preparation?
  • Assisted mobility?
  • Personal care assistance?
  • Hygiene?
  • Private duty nursing?
  • Physical therapy?
  • Socialization?
  • Transportation to medical visits?

What Makes AmeriBest Home Health Care Different from Other Agencies in Harrisburg, PA?

The AmeriBest difference begins with our culture. We value excellence in our staff and show it. We know without the right people on the job, we cannot succeed in offering the best care experience. Once we’ve hired someone, we offer opportunities for ongoing professional training, so they always come to their shift prepared for a wide variety of emerging situations.

Before we hire our staff, we do background checks on each and every person. We ask about their level of experience and what they feel their role is in caregiving. We also discuss any concerns over transportation. The goal here is to give you peace of mind about the people we send to your home for ongoing care. Also, if you have any concerns about your aide, you can bring them to our attention for remediation. There is always the chance of mismatched personalities, and we know it’s vital for you to express your issues openly and honestly.

Speaking of which, AmeriBest stresses the importance of getting to know our clients. What do they enjoy doing? What are their favorite foods and TV shows? Our caregivers become a significant part of your household, and it’s important they build healthy relationships.

You probably have several questions. The learning curve about home care is pretty daunting. We’re here to help. Feel free to contact our offices any time:

Our online contact form

Phone: 717-545-2930

Email: info@ameribest.org

Our professionals stand at the ready with reliable answers.

How Popular is Home Health Care in Philadelphia, PA?

Home Health Care in Philadelphia, PA

No matter where you look, the number of advertisements has obviously grown for home health care options. The United States demographics are changing because people are living longer. That longevity does not mean, however, that they are healthier. Many have chronic conditions affecting memory, mobility, and overall daily functionality. Those limitations prove challenging for a family who wants only the best for their loved one. It’s no wonder that home health care in Philadelphia, PA (as well as throughout the nation) is currently booming. People want their loved ones to maintain dignity and safety but don’t always have the time to be present and attentive when confronted with personal responsibilities. The good news? We’re here for you, and our goal is to hire the best staff, train them, and maximize the potential services to our clients.

Delineating Home Health Care in Philadelphia, PA

Certified home health care covers a wide variety of solutions focused on the needs of an individual and their family. It can include things like:

  • Personal Care
  • Skilled Nursing
  • Physical or Occupational Therapy
  • Home-based Primary Care
  • Hospice

While it can become confusing when you’re researching your options, “home health care” generally means services covered by Medicare in full or part. The agencies that accept Medicare must be certified by the organization and accept regular inspections.

Home Health Care in Philadelphia, PA

Pennsylvania by the Numbers

As of 2017, Pennsylvania spent over $33,000 per person on community and home-based services. This is more than the national average, meaning the demand is stronger. Private pay represents 16% of the home care market, again less than the national average. By 2024, estimates say there will be an additional 70,000 customers needing home health care.

It is hard for home cares to keep up with the supply of caregivers. On average, there are 6 people seeking home aides for each aide currently working in the market. By 2024, home healthcare in Pennsylvania will need another 570,000 caregivers. As a result, we are always on the lookout for empathetic individuals with a strong work ethic to join our team.

There is a long-term care crisis facing the United States. In the past, how we care for those who cannot care for themselves has shown numerous flaws. While families, numbering over 50 million according to the AARP, struggle to manage their loved one’s daily requirements, they often lose track of their own health and well-being.  That very same struggle is a key factor in the popularity of home caregivers. Folks need guidance, support, and breaks!

AmeriBest Home Care Services

AmeriBest receives high marks as one of the top home care agencies in Philadelphia, PA. We have a home and community-based programs designed to meet the specific needs of your loved one. Our professionals pay close attention to the changes in insurance and best practices throughout the home care industry.

If you have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to our office:

Email: info@ameribest.org
Phone: 215-925-3313
Online contact form

We look forward to providing you with superior assistance and answers.

What Home Care Assistance is Available in Harrisburg, PA?

Home care assistance Harrisburg PA

You are seeing the signs that your loved one needs help with their daily functioning. They do not want to go into a “home” or another facility because it seems so cold. The good news is that there are options that will keep them safely in their beloved house. So, what home care assistance is available in Harrisburg, PA?

In truth, what type of services you’ll receive depends heavily on the circumstances. However, home caregiving focuses on four key areas:

  • Personal Care: This covers cleaning, laundry, dishes, food preparation, hygiene, and medication monitoring, among other things.
  • Supervised Activities: It’s important to get out of the house. A trained aide can transport an individual to community activities regularly, even those with dementia or functional impairments.
  • Personalized Case Management: At AmeriBest in Harrisburg, PA, we pride ourselves on creating specialized care plans perfectly suited to your loved one’s situation.
  • Companionship: An aide becomes a lifeline for socialization. Studies show that such interaction deters depression and anxiety.

Other assists include skilled nursing, speech therapy, and physical therapy. An agency can offer you options on how to make the home space safer and easier to navigate. They can also assist with obtaining medical equipment and supplies when you’re struggling to find them.  In short, home care assistance in Harrisburg, PA, provides support to vulnerable individuals while maintaining their dignity and sense of independence.

Choosing a Home Care Agency

As you might imagine, the approach and culture of one agency can be vastly different than another. How do you choose? One of the most important things you should know is that the Department of Health in PA licenses caregiving agencies. This department oversees an agency’s standards and surveys them regularly. An agency must adhere to regulations.

When you start your search, we recommend having a list of questions ready to ask each potential agency. Start with their certification and accreditations. These aren’t an end-all and be-all, but it’s a beginning.

Move on to their hiring and training practices. The best agencies look for a specific “type” of individual as staff, one with compassion, patience,  attentiveness, and strong ethics. The agency must require background checks by PA State law. After hiring, do the aids receive more training, and if so, what type? At AmeriBest we know it’s important to keep our staff abreast of best practices as they emerge in the health care industry.

From a pragmatic point of view, what does the agency do when your aide calls off? How soon can they have a replacement available? Can the agency handle your loved one’s unique requirements, if applicable?

Last, collect references and follow up on them. You’d be surprised at how many people take a professional services company at its word. Get feedback from others and from the Better Business Bureau so you’re not caught by an unpleasant surprise.

What Can You Expect from AmeriBest Home Care Harrisburg, PA?

When our agency works with you, we pride ourselves on being knowledgeable and individualized. There are no “cookie-cutter” solutions to home care here. Your situation is different from anyone else’s in family dynamics alone.

We focus on getting to know you and your loved one, as well as getting input from their wellness team. You can contact us online, call 717-545-2920 or 1800-HOMECARE, or email info@ameribest.org with any questions or get further information.

Caregiver Guide: Private Duty Home Care in Philadelphia, PA

Private Duty Home Care in Philadelphia, PA

When a family member is chronically ill or showing signs of age-related issues, it leaves you with serious choices to make. Navigating private duty home care in Philadelphia, PA, can seem overwhelming. Nonetheless, understanding your options is vital to peace of mind.

It’s not surprising that many people prefer the comfort of their homes to facility care. It’s comfortable, familiar, and filled with memories. Private duty home care, like AmeriBest offers, allows a person the option of staying in their own house.

What, Exactly, is Private Duty Home Care?

Private duty home health agencies in Philadelphia, PA, offer services to individuals who need help with their day-to-day activities. From cooking and cleaning to personal hygiene, a trained aide comes into the home and begins filling in the gaps. The private duty aide also gives people vital companionship that combats depression.

Beyond supporting individuals, the private duty home caregiver gives families ongoing breaks to breathe and catch up with their own affairs. It is easy for people to burn out trying to juggle so many responsibilities. One of our goals at AmeriBest is to create a holistic atmosphere that considers all members of the family, including the client.

Factoid: The State of Pennsylvania requires all private duty home caregivers to undergo a criminal background check.

Benefits of Private Duty Caregiving

Medicare rarely covers private duty home care. So, this is an expense paid by the patient or their family. Yet, if you were to compare the cost of paying out of pocket for a facility, in-home assistance wins out financially.

There are other benefits of private duty home care, including:

  • Personalized care plans: If you hire your aide from an agency, the company will work with physicians and the family in designing a care plan that makes sense at the time. Needs change, and care plans change with them!
  • Medication counts and reminders: The AARP estimates that 75% of adults over the age of 50 take at least one prescription daily. Keeping track of medications can prove cumbersome, especially if a person suffers from short-term memory loss. The aide makes sure your loved ones receive their medications on time and in the correct order. They also provide an extra set of eyes for new medications, observing for potential side effects.
  • Teaching: The amount of knowledge to properly care for various conditions is not something most people have. Aides can work with you, and show you some handy tricks and instructions for caring for your loved one that save time and maintain safety.

Private Duty Home Care in Philadelphia, PA

AmeriBest’s Private Duty Home Care Philadelphia PA

When you have questions at the ready, don’t hesitate to reach out to our office. We have highly trained personnel ready to provide helpful answers about hiring an aide. Don’t worry – we don’t mind a lot of them. It means you’ve thought things through.

There are three ways to contact us:

Call: 215-925-3313,

Email: info@ameribest.org, or

Fill out our online contact form.

We look forward to providing your loved one with superior, individualized, caring services.

Why Are We One of the Top Home Health Agencies in Philadelphia?

Why Are We One of the Top Home Health Agencies in Philadelphia?

There is any number of reasons you may need a home health agency. Perhaps your loved one is aging. Perhaps they have a chronic debilitating issue. Because everyone’s life is busy, you may not be able to give your loved ones all the time and attention they deserve. When you’re not there, you worry and become distracted from the tasks at hand. You need help, and there’s no shame in seeking it before you wear out. Reach out to AmeriBest Home Care – one of the top home health agencies in Philadelphia!

We take pride in being one the best. Our dedication to providing high-quality, individualized personal care services is of the utmost priority. We are there when you cannot be present (and even when you are, should you wish). We encourage family advocacy every step of the way.

Our Staff

Are you looking for an agency home care near Philadelphia? You’ve come to the right place. AmeriBest seeks out individuals whose personalities and traits fit this work. Our staff is compassionate, empathic, dependable, supportive, patient, attentive, and trustworthy. Not only does AmeriBest seek ‌the best of the best, but we also offer our team ongoing training to keep their skills up to date.

Customization

Dignity and independence matter greatly. Each individual receives a careful assessment, coordinating care between medical professionals and the family. No two plans are alike, and they will change as a person’s needs and goals transform. Effectively, we follow the best practices in everything we do, which sets us apart from other home health agencies in Philadelphia.

Why Home Health Care?

Many people look to various facilities at the outset of their exploration for help. The individual may give them a lot of flack, not wanting to leave the comforts of home. Aides fix that issue. Trained aides oversee your loved ones in familiar surroundings. They socialize with them while providing help with daily household needs.

AmeriBest teams provide you with a wide range of services, including

  • Superior care coordination
  • Dependability
  • Trustworthiness
  • Relief so you can manage other aspects of your life
  • RNs, therapists, and social workers (when required)
  • Meal preparation
  • Dressing and personal care
  • Medication reminders
  • Light housekeeping
  • Vocational assistance

By the way, AmeriBest can help train a friend or relative to provide care, too. If you are providing care already – get paid for it! It’s estimated that around 53 million Americans are providing unpaid care for their relatives or friends (source).

Benefits of Working With AmeriBest – One of the Top Home Health Agencies in Philadelphia

A home care agency cannot succeed without having exceptional employees. We value each person on our team and show it through our benefit plan. You get 7 paid holidays, PTO, Medical/Dental/Vision insurance, a life insurance policy, and so much more!

There’s also maternity leave, bereavement leave, a life insurance policy, and a 401(k). We’ve been in business since 2008, and welcome potential candidates who value dignity and compassion. Once hired, we continue to invest in your future with certifications and training. We want you to have all the resources necessary so you can reflect our corporate culture in the home.

For more information:

Call: 215-925-3313 or 1800-HOMECARE

Email: info@ameribest.org

In-Home Care Services Available in Harrisburg, PA

In-Home Care Services Available in Harrisburg, PA

There is no way to avoid the impact of time on our bodies but to live a healthy lifestyle. Even then, people develop chronic illnesses or debilitating injuries that leave them hospital bound for extended periods of time. No one likes being at a hospital. But there is an alternative. You can hire a professional caregiver to provide in-home care services in Harrisburg, PA by contacting AmeriBest Home Care.

What Are In-Home Care Services?

Home sweet home. There is comfort derived from being in familiar surroundings. In-home care services allow an individual to stay in their home while receiving ongoing care for their condition.

Home Health Care comprises care that takes place in a patient’s home. The exact services differ based on individual needs and situations. Trained aides come and meet with the individual and their family to assess a “best practice” approach in creating a plan of care.

Benefits of Hiring an In-Home Caregiver

There are many benefits to in-home care services in Harrisburg, PA. For some, their insurance or Medicare does not completely cover the cost of specialized facilities. Overall, services delivered to your home cost less than what accrues in a hospital. But the benefits of an aide service go beyond money.

In this setting, the entire family is encouraged to take part in their loved one’s care. They remain active participants, but have the opportunity for regular “time out,” away from the difficulties of caregiving. It’s easy to burn out otherwise.

Home Health Care services include things like

  • RN and therapist visits
  • Personal care (dressing, bathing, etc.)
  • Light housework, like laundry and sweeping
  • Yard work
  • Cooking
  • Socialization and companionship
  • Respite
  • Transportation
  • Medication management, and more.

In other words, the goal is to provide a safe, comfortable environment that offers continuity, familiarity, and an extra set of eyes and hands at the ready. Over time, an aide develops a connection with the client, building trust, and supporting their wellness goals.

What is the Difference Between Home Health Care and Home Care?

There are a variety of in-home services you can get in the comfort of your own house. Sometimes “home care” and “home health care” get confused. Home health has a medical focus. Services come from licensed professionals helping people with things like dementia, physical therapy, and psychiatric care.

By comparison, home care doesn’t require licensed personnel. Rather, staff members receive basic training before they go into the field. There are even situations in which you can hire a family member or friend to take care of you. These people can have their training and timekeeping managed by an agency like AmeriBest.

Looking for an In-Home Caregiver in Harrisburg, PA?

When you’re ready to interview caregivers in your area, don’t hesitate to give AmeriBest a call. Our professionals are ready to answer all your questions and guide you through the paperwork required. We take pride in having highly trained staff who are compassionate and dependable. Our goal is to deliver superior service every day.

You can use our online contact form, call 717-545-2920 or 1800-HOMECARE, or email info@ameribesthomecare.com

What Home Health Services are Available in Philadelphia, PA?

What Home Health Services are Available in Philadelphia, PA?

As people age or become chronically ill, they don’t always want to go to a facility. The idea seems cold, with so many strangers passing through the halls. Being at home is comforting, and often achieves far better results than in more formalized settings like assisted living. That’s why families start looking for home health services in Philadelphia, PA.

Home Health Care comprises care that takes place in a patient’s home. The exact services differ based on individual needs and situations. Through AmeriBest Home Care, it may include RNs and therapists, as well as trained aides. The goal is to provide a person with daily living, including social services. Other examples of in-home care include:

  • Bathing
  • Cleaning
  • Laundry
  • Meal preparation
  • Socialization

Note that there is a difference between home health care and home health (it gets confusing). Home health is more medical. Licensed professionals come to the home to provide coverage for all kinds of ailments, including

  • Dementia
  • Chronic health conditions
  • Memory care
  • Nutrition consultation
  • Occupational therapy
  • Post-operative care
  • Psychiatric Care

Factoid: Homebound means that a person’s condition keeps them from leaving their home safely without help and/or assistive devices like a cane.

Benefits of Home Health Care

Services delivered to a person’s home are far less expensive than those incurred at a hospital. In this setting, families are encouraged to remain active participants in their loved one’s health and well-being without burning out. They can ask questions of professionals and get valuable advice for maintaining the happiness and safety of their loved ones.

When someone is recuperating from injury and illness, most times they experience a faster recovery. Over time, having home health care improves a person’s independence by maintaining their current functionality, or even improving upon it. Home Health Care, like what we offer at ArmeriBest, focuses on self-sufficiency, symptom management, and personalized care. You are never just a “number.”

Each individual has a plan, coordinated by their physicians and other health professionals. This ensures continuity of care.

The Role of Medicare

Home health care services may qualify for Medicare coverage. In order to be eligible, you must be homebound, require intermittent care to maintain the existing condition, and perhaps improve it, and have a medical doctor who prescribes the services.

Depending on the type of Medicare you have, there may be some deductible (or pay down) for home health care. This is a great relief considering Philadelphia’s home care rates can be as much as $286 a month, sometimes more. Mind you, compared to assisted living facilities charging $780 a month (estimate), home care is the way to ease your budgetary concerns.

If you are uncertain, the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (215-765-9040) offers eligibility reviews, as well as other helpful services. Veterans should reach out to their regional Philadelphia office.

AmeriBest – Home Health Services Agency in Philadelphia

While no one wishes for a loved one’s restrictions, it simply happens. When it does, reach out to the experts at AmeriBest Home Care. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have. You can use our online contact form or

Call: 215-925-3313 or 1800-HOMECARE

Email: info@ameribesthomecare.com

What Home Care Assistance Is Available in Harrisburg PA?

What Home Care Assistance Is Available in Harrisburg PA?

If you have an aging or ill family member, you may wonder what home care assistance is available in Harrisburg, PA. Home health agencies are designed to provide services to vulnerable individuals. The goal is to offer safety, dignity, and independence.

In Pennsylvania, the Department of Health must license all such agencies, measuring them against established standards. Ongoing reviews and surveys happen, ensuring an agency adheres to regulations. Even so, not all caregiving organizations are created equal. You want a company that puts individuals first and personalizes their care, such as AmeriBest Home Care.

What to Ask During Interviews

As you look at different agencies, there are questions you should be asking each of them.

  1. Are you certified by Medicare (a program that covers some, if not all, of the cost of a home caregiver)?
  2. What are your accreditations?
  3. Does your hiring process include background checks?
  4. Do you provide your employees with training?
  5. What do you have in place for replacement personnel in case of call-offs?
  6. Do you provide updates on any issues or concerns you observe?
  7. What payment plans do you have, and can you help with applying for specific coverage?
  8. What happens if an aide doesn’t work out?
  9. Can I have some references?

Beyond these questions, also have keynotes about your situation and your loved one’s needs on a daily basis, particularly if they have unique requirements like help with transport, visual limitations, etc.

Take notes. Get a contact name, and use that person for other questions that inevitably arise.

What can You Expect from a Home Health Aide providing home care assistance in Harrisburg, PA?

Each situation is unique. Your loved ones’ care plan is one-of-a-kind and individualized. There are some generalities, however. Aides are selected for having specific traits, especially the ability to communicate with vastly different people in public and private sectors. Be it Uncle Joe, or Dr. Keenan, the aide providing home care assistance in Harrisburg PA must remain professional, knowledgeable, and practice active listening.

Your aide may help with general housework like dishes and dusting. They may also provide personal assistance for washing, medication management, and getting to and from appointments. Perhaps the most important aspect of being an aide is the ability to build a relationship with the client and offer socialization. Loneliness is the leading cause of depression among housebound individuals.

Cost Factors

Medicare covers most types of home health care, but it must be ordered by a doctor. If you have private insurance, bills normally go through that agency before reaching Medicare. In order to bill Medicare, the agency must bear its certification. In Pennsylvania, about 30% of home care agencies have this certification.

Would you Like to become a Caregiver Home Health Aide in Harrisburg, PA?

AmeriBest Home Care is hiring caregivers: PCAs, HHAs, and CNAs. If you’d like to hire a family or friend to tend to your loved one, we can help with that process, too. We have an outstanding benefits package because we believe our employees are the key to our client’s welfare as well as the company’s success.

You can contact us online, call 717-545-2920 or 1800-HOMECARE, email info@ameribest.org with any questions or move forward with an application.

The Need for Homecare in Philadelphia Continues to Grow

Need for Homecare in Philadelphia Continues to Grow

As a whole, people in the world are living longer thanks to medical advancements. Most folks will need some type of home care services in their lifetimes, for various reasons. It’s estimated that a whopping 80% of seniors will need one year or more in a nursing facility unless they take advantage of professional caregiving services. In either case, Medicaid is paying about 45% of all claims, Medicaid 23%, and the rest is out of pocket. With this in mind, it’s no wonder that homecare in Philadelphia continues to grow. Roughly 7% of the state’s population are elderly, frail, or otherwise disabled. In the next decade, the demand for home care aides will be growing rapidly. Families don’t like the idea of their loved ones being in a facility where they cannot be certain of what’s happening when they cannot be present. In-home services fix that.

Using Medicaid and Medicare for Homecare in Philadelphia

Not everyone is in the position to pay for professional care at home. Medicaid is a joint Federal and State program that helps low-income people who would not otherwise have access to adequate care.

Need for Homecare in Philadelphia Continues to Grow

Begin or Continue a Successful Career in Home Healthcare

The need for empathic, attentive people for home care is growing by leaps and bounds. AmeriBest Home Care is currently hiring individuals who can provide support to seniors and their families. We don’t require experience as we will give you paid training so you’re ready to work in no time.

If you want to make a positive impact on lives, this is a very rewarding way to do so. You’re allowing people to maintain comfort and security in their own home instead of a care facility filled with strangers.

At AmeriBest we value our staff and show it by providing a wide array of benefits including:

  1. Sick, vacation, and personal time
  2. 7 paid holidays annually, with time and a half when you work them
  3. Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  4. Life insurance for full-time employees
  5. 5 days of maternity leave

And so much more.

We believe that your happiness positively impacts the lives of our clients every day. Better still, AmeriBest offers ongoing training so you can continue with career development in areas of personal interest.

Are You Right for the Job?

Caregiving is not for everyone, but for those who have a natural ability for nurturing, strong empathy, and good instincts it could prove ideal. You will be giving an individual companionship and socialization. Plus, the job is far more flexible with hours than many other positions. AmeriBest HR works with you to find a match suited to your situation.

The families for whom you’ll work truly appreciate the help you’re providing. You are their eyes and ears when they cannot be present. Knowing a home care aide is in place alleviates a lot of fear and stress.

If you are interested, we are always in need of personal care assistants, home health aides, and family caregivers. If you’d like to learn more, call our Philadelphia office at 215-925-3313. You can also email us at info@ameribest.org, or use our online contact form for further information.

How To Apply for Home Care Assistance in Harrisburg PA

How To Apply for Home Care Assistance in Harrisburg PA

When the time comes for home care assistance, a million questions come up, all of which are important. As you ponder the changes, make a list of your most important questions so you can ask about them with your doctors and navigators whose job it is to make your life easier. Let’s face it, there is a ton of paperwork involved in applying for home care assistance in Harrisburg, PA, but we are here to help!

Medicare can help you find professional in-home caregivers in Harrisburg PA, such as AmeriBest Home Care. The State of Pennsylvania offers various senior services, including not only home care assistance, but home modifications, durable medical equipment, and personal response systems, as well. Beyond that, your chosen agency should be able to help you apply for personal care services

How to Apply for Home Care Assistance in Harrisburg PA

If you are 65 or older, or under 65 with a qualifying disability, you are eligible for some form of help from Medicare and Medicaid. You may have personal insurance that handles some percentage of professional caregiving like AmeriBest offers.

Social Security

The process for Medicaid begins at Social Security. It is by far the fastest way of signing up. Better still, you can do it online. You can do this yourself or get someone you know and trust to help with making your account and signing up for benefits. If you prefer to talk to someone, call 1-800-772-1213, or you can make an appointment at your local social security office.

The Benefits

Medicare will cover some level of in-home services when ordered by a physician. However, it must be medically necessary. Assistance with daily living needs will not be covered unless they are part of a skilled services plan of care.

Thankfully, Pennsylvania offers home and community-based waiver services (HCBS). This program provides greater support for caregiving beyond medically necessary options. The idea is to keep people in their community and home rather than in long-term care facilities. Note that there are several HCBS programs, and you can only utilize one at a time.

Long-Term Insurance

If you purchased and maintained a long-term insurance policy, stick with it. The benefits vary, but it’s a great way to plan ahead before you reach the age of 50. Beyond the age of 60, it becomes far more difficult to obtain this coverage that could help with in-home care.

Life Insurance

If you have a life insurance policy, it may be possible to use it in order to pay for home care. You can take a loan from it or surrender it for its cash value. It is important to review the stipulations of your policy plan with your insurer, so you know the best actions to take, and when.

There is also life insurance conversion. Instead of getting a lump sum, you will receive a specific amount for elder care services such as long-term care. This is a separate account that can only be used for home care services. When used properly, this option will not affect your eligibility for Medicaid.

How To Apply for Home Care Assistance in Harrisburg PA

Why AmeriBest for Home Care Assistance in Harrisburg, PA?

The professionals at AmeriBest Home Care stay on top of the ever-changing face of caregiving services. We can share with you the latest programs or revisions to old ones. If you are a veteran, you may qualify for VA benefits as a payment option. Or, you might look to a pension, personal savings, a reverse mortgage, or Supportive Service through the Older Americans Act, which is indented to provide funds for resources they might not otherwise afford.

We are happy to review all your options so you can make the best choice for you and your family. Use our online contact form, email info@ameribest.org, or call 1800-HOMECARE today!