A number of retirement communities offer respite care in Spring City, PA, and below are some indications that your loved one might require it.
How Does Respite Care Work?
Respite care is designed to relieve primary caregivers for a short time, which can range from a single day to several weeks. This assistance can be given at home, within a day center or healthcare environment. Respite services will usually charge hourly but the majority of insurance plans will not cover the charges. However, Medicare and Medicaid might offer some assistance.
The goal is for family members to relocate their loved ones into an environment which is both caring and welcoming, where all their needs and desires can be tended to. It can be an excellent choice in situations where an elder is recovering from surgery or injury, but is also used for those that require memory care or assisted living. To accomplish this, communities may provide treatments on site such as physical, occupational or speech therapy.
When is Respite Care Recommended?
Respite care is exceptionally versatile and can be applied to situations where active elders have been temporarily setback by either injury or illness, or mobility challenged elders who have developed Alzheimer’s or dementia. Individuals with cognitive decline will often need around the clock care which their family members are unable to provide due to career commitments of their own, so relocating them into a community where they can get the proper care is vital.
Payment Options for Respite Care
A number of aging adults and their family members are concerned about respite care costs. This is understandable as such expenses can absorb a large portion of monthly earnings, even in situations where families assumed they had sufficient savings. Aside from personal funds, there are others ways that respite care can be afforded, including government programs. There are instances where retirees might be eligible to receive certain government benefits, and using online resources is the best way to find them. Aside from federal programs, there are also state programs that can provide assistance with medical costs.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has several such programs. However, the benefits can differ from one state to another and the eligibility requirements might change over time, so it is important to do your research. Medicare Part A won’t cover continual at home personal care, but will cover some shorter stays within retirement centers, as well as covering a percentage of hospital costs once you’ve paid a specific amount. Additionally, Medicare Part A covers hospice for the final six months.
Medicare Part B will cover a portion of doctor’s services, as well as outpatient care and medical treatment not covered by Part A. It will also cover preventative services like diabetes screening or flu shots. Medicare Part D is designed primarily to cover the costs of some forms of medication. While Medicaid is sometimes confused with Medicare, it is a distinct state and federal program designed for lower income individuals, and will cover some medical costs as well as extended care.
