Aging at home is ideal when possible. When a senior can no longer manage the activities of daily living on his or her own, caregivers fill in the gaps. Caregivers can cook, clean, chauffeur, and provide companionship.

In the United States, most families have to pay for caregivers out of pocket.
There are ways to get help. Generally, it is an expense that is not covered by health insurance. Some countries have developed innovative ways to help seniors age at home. Here are some of the different ways home care is handled.

Sweden

In Sweden, men and women have life expectancy rates of 81 and 84, respectively. Elder care services are covered in part by tax revenues and grant money offered by the Swedish government. Adult day services help provide a safe place for the elderly to spend their day while family caregivers work or go to school.

Each town sets a rate for elder care services. In 2016, the maximum charge was about $200 per month. Seniors are offered a number of free rides using public transportation each month. Municipal workers will help with home improvements to improve safety when aging at home. The country also focuses heavily on preventative health care to keep seniors healthier longer.

Scotland

In Scotland, seniors can go to the local authority and request care. If it’s determined senior care services such as help with hygiene, meals, medication assistance, and toileting are needed, the home care services may be free.

The authority pays around $220 a week for seniors in need of caregivers. The only services that are paid for out of pocket by seniors and their families are laundry, housekeeping, transportation to stores, and the cost of groceries.

Japan

In Japan, long-term care insurance is mandatory once you turn 40. The money collected in insurance premiums is then pooled to help fund senior care. Care managers assess seniors once they turn 65 and determine if home care services are needed. If they are, they find the best programs from a list of non-profit and private organizations.

Japan limits the number of assisted living and nursing homes. They believe elder care should start with the community rather than a business. There is the talk of robots being used in the future as the number of senior citizens increases.

What You Need to Do

When your parents need help aging at home, it’s likely that you’ll be offering some of that care. Home care agencies can walk you through the process of hiring caregivers. Call today.

If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Caregiver in Pleasant Hill CA, contact the friendly staff at Home Care Professionals today.

Sources:

Sweden.se
Gov.scot
Independent.co.uk

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andy@hcprosonline.com

CEO at HomeCare Professionals

Andy Howardis a Bay Area Native who holds a BA in Political Science (University of Colorado at Boulder, ’97). After college Andy worked in the surging tech industry.His Grandmother however, would suffer a significant decline in health and ultimately needed in-home care. The experience of a loved one depending on outside help to age in place proved to be pivotal for Andy as he left the tech industry in 2002 for an opportunity in the home care world with a large provider. After having success in home care, but being frustrated by corporate constraints Andy founded HomeCare Professionals in 2005.He methodically built the company one client at a time by focusing on hiring quality caregivers to ensure positive outcomes. Currently Andy serves as the CEO of HomeCare Professionals and is also highly active in the non-profit organization California Association of Health Services at Home (CAHSAH) which advocates for a higher standard of in-home care for those who wish to remain living at home in California.

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