When it comes to home health care, there are a lot of misconceptions floating around.
Some people think that only the wealthy can afford home health care, while others assume that anyone who needs home care must be very sick.
In reality, home health care is more accessible and affordable than many people realize. And as for the need for home health care services, that varies from person to person.
There are some illnesses or conditions that make it necessary for someone to receive medical attention at home, but many people also use home health care services as a way to stay healthy and independent.
In this blog post, we’ll dispel five common myths about home health care service providers. We hope this information helps you better understand the benefits of choosing a quality home health care service provider!
1. People who need home health care must be very sick
As mentioned above, people use home health care services for a variety of reasons, depending on their individual circumstances and needs.
Some people choose it because doing so is the best way to manage chronic conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure. Home health care can also help people recover after an illness or surgery.
When older adults need help with everyday tasks like bathing, dressing, cooking meals and cleaning, that’s another reason why they might turn to home health care providers.
And some people may opt for home health care if they are recovering from an injury or trying to avoid one by receiving physical therapy in their own homes instead of going to a clinic each day.
Whatever the reason, it’s important to know that home health care service providers can help with much more than just “end of life” medical attention.
2. Home health care services are only for the wealthy
The assumption that only the wealthy can afford home health care is a common one and in some ways may be true: not everyone has the financial resources necessary to hire a caregiver full time.
But this doesn’t mean that you have to pass up on receiving quality in-home assistance if you don’t have thousands of dollars available to pay for it! There are several affordable options available such as tax credits and Medicaid waivers which allow older adults (and sometimes their families) to benefit from home health care without having to spend a ton of money.
And it’s also worth mentioning that many home health care providers use sliding scales to create payment plans that are tailored to the patient’s individual needs.
Some companies even offer formal jobs for caregivers which allow them to earn a living wage and still work flexible hours as part of a team.
3. All home health care providers are the same
It may seem like fire departments fire departments, doctors offices come in just two shapes-and-sizes: big and impersonal or small and personal.
People who have had bad experiences with large, corporate medical establishments often assume that all healthcare organizations of every size will be equally unfriendly, but this simply isn’t true!
Many home health care companies do their best to come across as caring and compassionate towards patients and their families, which can make a huge difference.
In fact, one study found that patients who receive regular check-ins from home health care service providers feel more in control of their own medical care.
4. One company is as good as another
When you need a contractor to fix your roof or a plumber to fix the leak under your sink, it’s easy to understand why you might think that all companies offer the same services and would charge similar prices for them.
But medical care isn’t something that should be shopped around or picked on price alone! If you have been seeing a doctor but aren’t getting the results you want-or if have been using at-home healthcare services with poor results-it may time to try another company.
It’s important to give all of your home health care options a fair chance before dismissing the entire industry as “unreliable and overpriced”.
5. I can’t shop around for home health care services
When you’re searching for a plumber or an electrician, it usually doesn’t take you long to find at least two companies that are willing to come out and help you with your problem.
But when it comes to finding reliable, caring medical assistance in your own home, people often assume they have no choice but to stick with the company their doctor has approved .
Fortunately, this isn’t the case! You have just as much power to choose another home healthcare provider as customers do when picking among competing plumbing companies. And you can use this power to find the perfect match for your needs.
6. My insurance plan will pay for whatever home healthcare services I need
When you’re suffering from an injury or illness, chances are high that you want nothing more than to get better as quickly as possible!
So when your doctor gives you a list of authorized medical companies and tells you to call them for help, it’s tempting to accept whatever package they offer without question because you don’t want to deal with any extra stress.
But just because your current insurance company agrees to reimburse you doesn’t mean that they picked out the best program available!
You have every right-and every responsibility-to do research on each option before making a decision . Don’t assume that all home healthcare services are equal-or that you can’t shop around for the best deal!
7. Everyone who works in home health care is highly trained
No, not all nurses and technicians working in the medical field have gone to college after high school. In fact, many of them had taken a different path before deciding to work as home health aides or home nurses .
When you want someone caring for your loved one at home, it’s important to find out if they have received formal training, but it’s also vital to verify their individual experience level. Look up reviews on past employers and clients before appointing a new caregiver , and ask about their education.
You’ll be able to tell right away whether they’re qualified or not –and whether or not they’re right for your family.
8. Hiring home health care professionals is expensive
It’s true that selecting competent, compassionate medical assistance can be costly, but it doesn’t always have to be!
One of the best things about shopping around for new services is that you get to choose what you pay-and don’t pay-for them.
If someone on your insurance plan has already received an assessment and recommended some specific services, then feel free to stick with them even if they are more expensive than another company .
But if you need to hire a new team or individual, then there are plenty of ways to save on their wages . It just depends on how quickly and effectively you shop around !
9. Hiring home health care services is time-consuming
Healthcare is complicated, and it can be hard to know the right questions to ask . But you don’t need to go through this process alone.
You can hire a home health care company or agency (like Home Care Assistance ) to assist with the entire recruitment process for you!
All you have to do is let them know what sort of caregiver would best suit your needs, and they will conduct an in-depth background check before finding someone appropriate for your situation.
If you’d like more personalized attention, one of their representatives will come out on your behalf and speak extensively with all potential candidates until they find the ideal match.
These are just some of the common misconceptions surrounding home health care – but if you’re interested in learning more, or if you have specific questions about the process, then feel free to contact M&Y Care LLC right away! We have 24/7 access to information and resources specifically aimed at our senior communities.