Surveys tell us without a doubt that the vast majority of seniors want to age in place, staying in the comfort of home. As a result, the need for home care services like those we provide at AmeriBest Home Care is growing by leaps and bounds. Looking for a Personal Care Assistant Philadelphia? Not sure where to begin? It can all be very confusing, but one thing you definitely need to know about is paying for home care services.
Let’s dive into it!
Senior In-Home Care Cost
The cost of caregiving varies greatly from region to region. Things impacting how much senior in-home care costs include the services you need and how often you need them. Everyone’s financial situation is different, so creating an affordable retirement plan is important.
Talking to a financial advisor if you have assets doesn’t hurt. Also, check if you have any long-term insurance that may help with fees. On average, it costs about $5,000 a month for either an independent caregiver or hiring one through an agency like AmeriBest. In Philadelphia, the costs are about $700 lower. If your loved one is in the unenviable position of needing round-the-clock care, the cost leaps up to over $19,000.
How do those numbers compare to nursing homes? Aging in place is less expensive. A semi-private room in Philadelphia will run over $11,000.
Personal Care Assistant Philadelphia: Pay Options
Besides any savings and investments you may have, there are several ways of getting help to pay for home care. First, if the senior is a veteran, the VA covers a variety of health benefits, including long-term care.
Next comes Medicare. The government provides health insurance for people over 65. Medicare may cover the cost of skilled at-home care, including:
- Medical supplies for your home
- Skilled nursing care
- Physical therapy
- Speech therapy
- Part-time, professional home health caregivers
- Physical, occupational, or speech therapy
- Medical supplies for home use
- Part-time home health aides
Your loved one’s physician is essential for receiving this care, as a doctor must create the plan of care and certify the individual as homebound. Also, Medicare does not cover meal delivery, personal care, or homemaker services.
Medicaid
So, where does Medicaid fit in? Medicaid is tailored to low-income individuals. Every state has specific requirements for qualification. In Pennsylvania, a person must be a US citizen. Other qualifiers for people who need insurance assistance include:
- Being pregnant
- Being the parent or legal guardian of a child under the age of 17
- Have a disability
- Have a family member who lives with you that has a disability.
The amount a person can make in a month, and have in resources, changes annually.
Your Personal Care Assistant Philadelphia
Traversing the world of insurance can be frustrating. AmeriBest Home Care is here to help. Once we know more about your specific situation, our team offers guidance on obtaining financial help. Contact our Philadelphia office any time with questions using our online contact form. You can also call 215-925-3313 or email ino@ameribest.org.
We look forward to providing you with professional knowledge and support.
