Home Care Myths & Facts

MYTH:  Home care is only for older people.

FALSE!  Home care is for anyone who needs it, from new mothers to people in life-changing situations:

• Been injured in accidents

• Developed serious progressive diseases, such as MS, muscular dystrophy, Alzheimer’s, cancer, or any other debilitating disease

• Suffered mishaps that have temporarily disabled a patient

• Discharged post-operative patients whose insurance benefits ran out

 

MYTH:  Home care is expensive and only wealthy people can afford it.​

FALSE! There are several ways to get needed home care.  New programs are constantly being developed for people who don’t have medical insurance, or whose medical benefits have been exhausted.

• VA benefits

• Long term insurance

• State programs

• Community programs

• Medicaid

• Faith-based programs

• Hospitals may help or refer you to local                                                                                   programs that will help

 

MYTH:  Home care is an alternative to

hospitals or nursing homes.

FALSE!  Home care provided by

professional caregivers often supplements

other care arrangements and enable 

patients who need it to get care.

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MYTH:  Longterm care exists only in

nursing homes.

FALSE!  Most seniors prefer to live out

their lives in their own homes. Some require

medical assistance, which is available

through local sources, but a lot of required elder

help is non-medical, obtained through local sources, and helpful friends and neighbors.

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MYTH:  Homecare solves all medical issues.

FALSE!  In many cases, a home healthcare nurse instructs a family member – or members – on how to care for patients.  They’ll also provide family members with a list of community groups that are available to help them, either free of charge, or at nominal cost.

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MYTH:  The only solution for people afflicted with Alzheimer's is for a family member to stay home and constantly keep watch over them.

FALSE! There are several care options available other than home care.  Consider special assisted living facilities.  Some are specially equipped to care for Alzheimer’s patients.  Such places should place special emphasis on:

• Safety, within the patient’s living quarters

• Supervision, so wandering patients are monitored

• Structured routine with constant activities that are similar to the patient’s regular lifestyle

• Sensitive personalized attention from Alzheimer’s care staffers who  have a full understanding of the patient’s needs and habits

Consider a local adult day care facility that has special facilities for patients with dementia or progressive Alzheimer’s Disease.

• Contact us for a list of Adult Day Care facilities and programs within your area!