Taking care of yourself at home is only one aspect of coping with a medical condition. You must be able to arrange and attend medical appointments, communicate with your doctor, pick up prescription drugs, deal with your insurance provider, and more. And that's challenging if you're not feeling well, under stress, or living alone.
Fortunately, a variety of experts are available to assist. Find out which professionals will best suit your needs and how much they will cost before you pick up the phone.
Do you require transportation to the doctor, to the drugstore thereafter, and to your home? You could require a "home companion" or home care aide. That person is a registered (but unlicensed) professional who can keep you company while also assisting with light cleaning, meal preparation, and errands.
You'll need a personal care attendant (PCA) or a certified nursing assistant (CNA) if you need someone who can do all that as well as assist you with using the bathroom, dressing, or taking a shower. They have received official training and are authorized by law to deliver direct physical treatment.
Do you require assistance with calling your insurance provider, managing your home care, researching treatment options, ensuring that your medical bills are paid, being with you and advocating for you in a medical environment, and other tasks? An aging life care professional (formerly known as a geriatric care manager) and a patient or health care advocate are two different types of professionals who can be of assistance.
These professionals are members of associations with codes of ethics that demand a specific set of abilities, credentials, and levels of training and experience. Both offer evaluations, problem-solving techniques, advocacy, and instruction. However, there are a few minor variations in what they perform.
Aging Life Care Professionals are well known for creating and managing care plans and solely working with older folks. " We are in charge of managing an elderly person's care. Debra Feldman, president of the board of directors of the Aging Life Care Association, the national association for care managers, adds, "We'll connect you to resources, manage them, attend to medical appointments and hospitals, and hold your hand through the process.
People of all ages are served by patient or healthcare advocates. While they can also look at your health in the big picture, many of them opt to focus on a particular area. "Some patient advocates only assist people with particular conditions, such as those with cancer, neurological disorders, or mental health problems. These advocates can locate doctors, investigate available treatments, schedule appointments, and remain by the patient's bedside. Others concentrate on dealing with appeals and insurance or billing concerns.
These paid support staff are regarded by doctors as additional members of your healthcare team.
They are a great resource for clinicians. Patients frequently fail to fully articulate their signs and situations. As a result, clinicians lack a clear picture of a patient's drug use, nutritional status, vaccination status, or frequency of falls. Usually, hired specialists can respond to those queries and inform us of the patient's need for additional assistance. The only negative is the cost.
What is the price?
Depending on where you reside and how much work the hired professional does for you, there are a wide variety of costs for support services to help you navigate the health care system.
An hourly wage of $27 to $28 is the national average for a home care aide or certified nursing assistant (CNA). The hourly rates for patient advocates and aging life care professionals range from $75 to more than $300. Medicare does not cover these costs. Certain long-term care insurance plans and veterans' benefits may cover a portion of the costs for CNAs. Accounts for medical expenses are also an option.
A social worker at your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) or senior center may be able to give suggestions for free if you only need to build up a basic care plan and you have family members to help you maintain it.
prior to making a hire
Make sure the people helping you have a degree or a professional certification in their area of expertise and that they belong to a professional organization. Find out their fee schedule. And don't put off asking for assistance for too long. " Ideally, call before there is a crisis. It might make sense to schedule a consultation if you already have a difficult health condition.
Fortunately, a variety of experts are available to assist. Find out which professionals will best suit your needs and how much they will cost before you pick up the phone.
Do you require transportation to the doctor, to the drugstore thereafter, and to your home? You could require a "home companion" or home care aide. That person is a registered (but unlicensed) professional who can keep you company while also assisting with light cleaning, meal preparation, and errands.
You'll need a personal care attendant (PCA) or a certified nursing assistant (CNA) if you need someone who can do all that as well as assist you with using the bathroom, dressing, or taking a shower. They have received official training and are authorized by law to deliver direct physical treatment.
Do you require assistance with calling your insurance provider, managing your home care, researching treatment options, ensuring that your medical bills are paid, being with you and advocating for you in a medical environment, and other tasks? An aging life care professional (formerly known as a geriatric care manager) and a patient or health care advocate are two different types of professionals who can be of assistance.
These professionals are members of associations with codes of ethics that demand a specific set of abilities, credentials, and levels of training and experience. Both offer evaluations, problem-solving techniques, advocacy, and instruction. However, there are a few minor variations in what they perform.
Aging Life Care Professionals are well known for creating and managing care plans and solely working with older folks. " We are in charge of managing an elderly person's care. Debra Feldman, president of the board of directors of the Aging Life Care Association, the national association for care managers, adds, "We'll connect you to resources, manage them, attend to medical appointments and hospitals, and hold your hand through the process.
People of all ages are served by patient or healthcare advocates. While they can also look at your health in the big picture, many of them opt to focus on a particular area. "Some patient advocates only assist people with particular conditions, such as those with cancer, neurological disorders, or mental health problems. These advocates can locate doctors, investigate available treatments, schedule appointments, and remain by the patient's bedside. Others concentrate on dealing with appeals and insurance or billing concerns.
These paid support staff are regarded by doctors as additional members of your healthcare team.
They are a great resource for clinicians. Patients frequently fail to fully articulate their signs and situations. As a result, clinicians lack a clear picture of a patient's drug use, nutritional status, vaccination status, or frequency of falls. Usually, hired specialists can respond to those queries and inform us of the patient's need for additional assistance. The only negative is the cost.
What is the price?
Depending on where you reside and how much work the hired professional does for you, there are a wide variety of costs for support services to help you navigate the health care system.
An hourly wage of $27 to $28 is the national average for a home care aide or certified nursing assistant (CNA). The hourly rates for patient advocates and aging life care professionals range from $75 to more than $300. Medicare does not cover these costs. Certain long-term care insurance plans and veterans' benefits may cover a portion of the costs for CNAs. Accounts for medical expenses are also an option.
A social worker at your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) or senior center may be able to give suggestions for free if you only need to build up a basic care plan and you have family members to help you maintain it.
prior to making a hire
Make sure the people helping you have a degree or a professional certification in their area of expertise and that they belong to a professional organization. Find out their fee schedule. And don't put off asking for assistance for too long. " Ideally, call before there is a crisis. It might make sense to schedule a consultation if you already have a difficult health condition.
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ReplyDeleteIt's great to know that there are experts who can help with transportation and provide companionship while also assisting with daily tasks.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the emphasis on finding professionals that suit your specific needs and budget.
ReplyDeleteWhile financial considerations are important, I believe the quality and expertise of the professionals should have been given more attention.
DeleteI didn't realize that there were registered professionals who can act as home companions and provide assistance with various tasks. This is definitely a great option for those who may be feeling unwell or living alone.
ReplyDeleteI've tried hiring a home companion before, and it was a disappointing experience. They lacked the necessary skills and enthusiasm to truly be helpful. It's important to thoroughly research and vet these professionals before making a decision.
ReplyDeleteI've had personal experience with a home care aide, and it was a game-changer. Not only did they help with transportation and errands, but their friendly presence also provided much-needed emotional support during a difficult time.
DeleteI'm sorry to hear about your disappointing experience with a home companion. It can be disheartening when expectations are not met. However, I encourage you not to lose hope. While there may be some individuals who lack the necessary skills and enthusiasm, there are also many dedicated and compassionate professionals out there. It's important to communicate your needs and expectations clearly during the selection process to ensure the best possible match. Don't hesitate to reach out to reputable agencies or seek recommendations from trusted sources.
DeleteHaving someone to provide companionship and assistance with daily tasks can make a huge difference in one's overall well-being.
ReplyDeleteIt's heartwarming to know that there are professionals out there who genuinely care about helping individuals navigate the healthcare system.
ReplyDelete