Comparing Independent Caregivers and Home Care AgenciesSenior
care is quite expensive, especially when provided by a home care
agency, and many families choose to hire independent caregivers in
order to save money. by choosing an independent caregiver, families
can often save as much as 20% to 30% when compared to care provided
by home care agencies. However, despite the potential for savings,
it is important to recognize that each care provider has its pros
and cons, and what works for one family may not work for another.
for example, a home care agency will typically perform a background
check on a potential employee before hiring them, agencies are
bonded, and should an employee be unable to work, they will provide
a substitute aide.
Home Care Aides or Home Health Aides?Step one in deciding which
route to go is first determining the level of care needed by the
individual in question. Can they get by with a home care aide or do
they have needs that can only be met by a
home health aide? This is key because the level of care
provided is different. If a home health aide is required, will they
be needed every day or can the patient get by with using them a few
days each week with a home care aide handling the duties the other
days? Savings per state vary, but on average a home care aide costs
10 to 15% less than a home health aide.
Virtual Caregiver Option
You probably never considered the possibility of care being
provided over the Internet,but considering
companionship for the elderly is often the primary care
provided in many cases, virtual companionship is an option.
Companionship services delivered online are often just as effective
as in person companionship but cost much less. No technical
computer skills are required. Learn more.
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Tax Implications: Credits and Deductions
Families in need of caregiver services for
elderly parents often have tax credits and deductions available
to them based on their tax filing status. People typically choose
to file as individuals, married couples, all married couples filing
separately, each of which can have different implications in
regards to tax payments. If you aren't sure which status is best
for you, there are several tax preparation software programs you
can access online that can help you make this decision. Additional
tax credits are also available if someone can claim an
elderly person as an independent on their return. These options
are explained in further detail on the following pages.
- State Tax Credits
- Tax Deductions for Medical Expenses
- Tax Credits for the Elderly and Disabled
Reduce Home Care Needs with Home ModificationsMaking
modifications to your home to make it safer and more accessible for
the elderly is another option one can choose to reduce the need for
home care aides, and many states and nonprofit entities often
provide low interest loans and grants to individuals with low
incomes. In some cases, these modifications can reduce the need for
home
health care aides, and in many cases the need for outside
assistance can be eliminated altogether. The Gerontology Center
located at USC has an up to date database of available home
modification resources organized by state. If this sounds like
something you're interested in, you can visit their website for
more details, or you can conduct a search of your own locally for
home modification programs available in your area.
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Consider Using Respite Home Health Care
Numerous respite care programs are available nationwide and are
provided by state agencies as well as non profit organizations.
Some of these respite care programs include
Alzheimer's Respite, the VA Respite, in the NFCS(National
Family Caregiver Support) Respite. For families that qualify, these
programs are often available at a low cost, and in many cases free
of cost. If respite care is available to you, it can be used as a
substitute for home care aides. For example, if you qualify for
five hours of free care each week, that's five hours you won't have
to pay to a home care aide for their services. To discover more
respite care resources that may be available to you in addition to
those mentioned above, use the Respite Program Locator Tool for a
more complete list of resources available nationwide.
source from: https://www.keephealthyliving.com/making-home-elde...