Nursing care at home is a type of medical care provided to seniors in the comfort of their own homes. In-home skilled nursing care typically includes medically necessary services ordered by a doctor. Medical professionals such as registered nurses and therapists typically provide at-home nursing care for seniors who are recovering from an injury or surgery or those who are living with a chronic condition.
Navigating in-home nursing care for an elderly loved one can be complicated. Read on to learn more about nursing care at home, who it’s for, the services it provides, how much it costs, and how to find a provider that fits your loved one’s needs and budget.
What services does nursing care at home include?
Skilled nursing care at home — also referred to as home health care — provides a range of medical services. But the care that your loved one will ultimately receive depends on their doctor’s recommendations. In-home health care is provided by trained home health nurses and may include the following services:
- Wound care
- Ostomy care
- Administering medication
- General health monitoring
- Pain control
- Coordination of care with other medical professionals
- Health education and promotion of wellness habits
Additionally, medical professionals such as occupational, physical, and speech/language therapists can offer specialized in-home nursing care services as part of a senior’s care plan.
Who needs at-home nursing care?
Seniors with chronic medical conditions or disabilities may benefit from nursing care at home. In addition, home health care can help older adults who are recovering from an injury, illness, or surgery.
At-home nursing care can provide the care your loved one needs to continue living at home in many circumstances. For example, in-home nurse care can support a loved one who's living with a chronic illness such as Parkinson’s disease, COPD, or kidney disease.
Family caregivers can also benefit from the services provided by at-home nursing care. Knowing your loved one is in good hands may help you enjoy some respite time to care for yourself.
How to pay for nursing care at home
There are several ways to pay for at-home nursing care. Many families pay out of pocket or use insurance coverage.
Medicare
Medicare may cover some costs of part-time skilled nursing care at home as long as it’s prescribed by a doctor or, in some states, at least a mid-level medical professional.
Read: Does Medicare Pay for Home Health Care and In-Home Care?
Medicaid
Medicaid covers home health care services. However, eligibility requirements and the exact coverage provided will vary based on where a senior lives. For more information, contact your loved one’s state Medicaid agency.
Read: Does Medicaid Cover Home Health Care and In-Home Care? Your Questions Answered
Veterans benefits
The VA offers several programs to help eligible veterans and their surviving spouses pay for at-home nursing care. One example is the VA's Skilled Home Health Care Program.
Read: Understanding the VA Home Care Program
Long-term care insurance
Some people purchase long-term care insurance in anticipation of needing long-term care services one day. An existing policy may be used to cover at-home nursing care services.
Read: Long-Term Care Insurance: How to Use a Policy and File a Claim
Life insurance
Some life insurance policies can be used to pay for long-term care such as nursing care at home. Options vary depending on the type of policy a senior has and how they intend to leverage it.
Read: How to Use a Life Insurance Policy to Pay for Long-Term Care
How to hire in-home nurse care
When hiring in-home nurse care, most families either use a home health care agency or hire an independent nurse.
Hiring a nurse for home care through an agency
Using a home health agency will help save you time and energy. Additionally, a certified agency may be the only option if Medicare or Medicaid is covering your loved one’s care. When choosing a home care agency, request an information packet that describes their services and fees and includes references.
Another thing to consider is that agencies vet their employees and handle administrative tasks such as the following:
- Interviewing
- Verifying experience and credentials
- Conducting background checks
- Scheduling
- Payroll
- Performance evaluations
Hiring an independent nurse for home care
Hiring a nurse who doesn’t work for an agency could be less expensive for families who are paying out of pocket for in-home nursing care. However, the family takes on all the responsibilities of being the nurse’s employer with this kind of arrangement. This often includes the tasks listed above.
Read: Hiring In-Home Caregiver Help
What should you look for when choosing a nurse for in-home care?
Whether you hire independently or through an agency, it’s important to verify that the home health nurse possesses the certifications and experience to meet your loved one’s needs. State regulations vary, but a home health nurse is typically a registered nurse (RN), licensed practical nurse (LPN), or certified nursing assistant (CNA).
In addition to ensuring a home health nurse has the correct certifications, they should also exhibit caregiver personality traits such as these:
- Compassion
- Patience
- Dependability
- Confidence
- Attentiveness
- Creativity
- Flexibility
Read: What Is a Home Health Nurse? Job Duties and How to Find the Right One
Support and next steps for finding at-home care
Your loved one’s doctor or medical team will order at-home nursing care for their medical needs. However, at-home nursing care and nonmedical home care services are different. If your loved one could benefit from assistance with daily tasks such as light housekeeping or personal care, AgingCare’s Care Advisors can help you find local nonmedical home care agencies. For additional support, join the Caregiver Forum to connect with other family caregivers and find answers and advice on senior care.
Reviewed by Amanda Lundberg, RN.
Sources:
Types of Home Health Care Services (https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/caregiving/types-of-home-health-care-services)
Medicare and Home Health Care (https://www.medicare.gov/Pubs/pdf/10969-medicare-and-home-health-care.pdf)