Being a caregiver is not a role that we choose. It is a situation that usually happens to us because we are caring individuals and we care about the person who needs our help. Some people are natural caregivers, however, most of us need help and training. Even if compassion comes to you naturally , it is always helpful to look for guidance on how to take care of yourself as well as take care of your care receiver. You can find a lot of information online about caregiving and look for resources in your area.
Learning what insurance will, and will not cover, is eye-opening for most people. Most insurances will not cover personal care at home when the primary caregiver is overloaded, or is not physically capable of handling the entire job alone. Every year insurance companies cover less and more comes out of your pocket. All insurance companies use Medicare as the standard so they typically follow Medicare guidelines. It would be a good idea to contact your insurance provider to find out what your policy actually covers and how much they will cover each year.
If you have a home health service in place, they will usually provide one to two treatments a week (1 Hour typically) by either physical therapy and/or occupational therapy if they are needed. In order to have assistance from a shower aide (CNA-Certified Nurse Assistant), there must be a nurse or therapist also coming to the home for services. A Nurse will be on your healthcare team if there is a need for training with new or multiple medications, wounds that need dressing changes, or the patient has a complex medical device that the nurse will manage. Typically the shower aides will come either one or two times a week. When home health services are completed, most people still want the shower aide to stay in the home, but this is not possible. Once insurance benefits are exhausted, everything comes out of your pocket after that.
Private caregivers usually require a two hour minimum to come to your home. Average charges are usually between $25 and $45 an hour depending on their qualifications and certifications. Finding private duty caregivers who are professional, reliable, and trustworthy is a challenge. There are great caregivers out there! There are agencies you can use to hire caregivers. Asking your healthcare providers who they recommend can lead you to great caregivers too. I have known many CNA’s who work for hospitals, nursing homes, home health, and hospice who will also work privately for you. Some CNA’s are retired but still want to work part time.
Sometimes you can find a list of caregivers from friends who have needed caregivers too.
It can be overwhelming and exhausting to be a caregiver. It can be especially difficult if you do not have support from any other family members. Finding a support group and a community that understands can help you manage the hard stuff and help you stay healthy physically and emotionally. It may seem like just one more thing on your “To Do” list to go to a caregiver training class or support group, but getting help can help you keep your sanity!
You are not alone! There are many people caring for loved ones at home who also struggle. Asking for help or finding help is one of the most caring things you can do for yourself and for your loved ones.
