Choosing home care

The type of home healthcare that's right for you will depend on whether you need simple or comprehensive care, whether your need is long- or short-term, and what type of insurance you have. First, determine the level of care you require. Family members or personal assistants with no medical experience can be trained to measure blood sugar and give hypodermic injections, as well as assist in personal hygiene. For more comprehensive care, you may need a licensed practical nurse. Next, consider the length of time you'll need assistance. Does your maximum medical insurance include regaining the capacity for independence, or does your healthcare professional recommend you make arrangements for permanent home healthcare? If your physician believes you'll continue to decrease in physical capacity, you may want to consider contacting a home healthcare agency to recommend assistants with skills you'll need in the future. This might be easier than building a professional relationship with a caregiver who'll need to be replaced in the foreseeable future. Finally, find out what requirements your insurance specifies about home-health caregivers and assisted-living professionals. Medicare and Medicaid have specific licensing requirements for various types of care, and independent insurance companies do, too.