SR Health Guide BODY & INSERT 2018

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ftentimes, decisions about elder care and senior living are made as a result of an injury or illness and a decision regarding home care, home healthcare, or assisted living services must be made quickly. However, being knowledgeable about your options and planning ahead will allow you to make the best decision for all involved. be defined by the level of services being offered. Non-Medical Home Health Agencies differ from companion type services because they provide an additional level of assistance in the home. In addition to the homemak- er/companion services such as meal preparation, light housekeeping, errand services and recreational activ- ities, a Non-Medical Home Health Agency may also offer hands-on per- sonal care services. Personal care ser- vices typically include assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADL’s) such as bathing, dressing, groom- ing, eating, mobility, and toileting. A Non-medical agency which offers this advanced level of per- sonal care may be reimbursed by long-term care insurance policies but typically is not covered by Medicare/Medicaid. An agency such as this is still considered non- medical because it is not providing the skilled cares that a licensed home health agency provides. A Licensed Home Health Agency provides skilled care in the home that may include services such as IV therapy, wound care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy or respira- tory therapy. Most home health agencies also have Home Health Aides to provide personal care ser- vices such as bathing, grooming and dressing assistance. Many times the services provided by a licensed home health agency may be reimbursable through private insurance coverage or Medicare/Medicaid Programs. Home Health Agencies can really

insurance policy, have the agency check with the insurance company directly to ensure the cares are covered under your policy. The agency should be happy to do this for you. • Always ask the agency about minimums – hours per visit and visits per week. • Ask about the agency’s back up system in the event your sched- uled caregiver has an emer- gency. You’ll want to make sure that agency has back-up or on- call staff in this situation. Getting additional assistance in the home early on can drastically reduce your risk of a more serious ill- ness or medical condition later on. It may be difficult at first to ask for the additional assistance but you’ve worked hard in life and it may be time you had someone assist or someone “catering” to your daily needs.

H OME H EALTH A GENCIES When looking for a home health agency to provide you or your loved one with assistance in the home, you should consider the following; • If you are in need of personal care services, make sure the agency provides actual hands- on care and not just “assis- tance” with bathing or trans- ferring. Many times the non- medical agencies can provide the “assistance” services at a less expensive level of care therefore you shouldn’t need to pay for personal care ser- vices unless it’s actually hands-on assistance. • If you have a long term care

• Hospice Care • Social Work • Wellness Facilitator

• Physical Therapy • Speech Therapy • Home Health Aide

• Skilled Nursing • Occupational Therapy

Mueller Therapy 920-994-9700 www.MuellerTherapy.com

Serenity Hospice Care 262-735-4297 www.SerenityHospiceAgency.com Easy Living Home Health Care 262-293-3951 www.ELHHCA.com

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For information on Senior Services in Wisconsin, visit our website www.seniorresourcesonline.com