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Many of us with our own families and responsibilities are worried about how to meet the need for the care of a loved one.  As the baby boomer generation ages, the options extend beyond traditional nursing home care.  The choices available may range from adult day care facilities to senior home care.

A nursing home facility is generally the most expensive of all the options available.  It should also be one of the last resorts unless the medical needs of your loved one dictates a residential facility with highly trained and specialized medical care.  Costs could range from $40,000-$100,000 annually.

An assisted living facility might be a consideration for someone without complicated medical concerns.  These facilities are residential, but generally serve those that still have a certain amount of mobility and maintain a reasonable degree of their mental capacities.  You will find that the costs for these types of facilities are between $25,000 and $45,000 annually.

In-home senior care is another option that provides your loved one with the comfort of remaining in the comfort and familiarity of their home.   The cost for this type of care has the widest range because it is based on the individual requirements of the senior for which care is provided.  The needs could range from general assistance with everyday needs, to around the clock specialized medical care.  The costs for in-home senior care could range from $20,000-$100,000 a year.

Adult day care is a reasonable option in cases where you can meet the needs of your loved one in the evening.  Your loved one doesn’t receive the level of skilled nursing care provided with some of the other options, but they will have their general needs taken care of during the day while you are at work.  They also receive the added benefit of companionship.  They will usually participate in activities that help them remain engaged in society.

To determine the right care for your loved one, make a list of your loved ones needs.  Write down the pros and cons involved with each type of care.  Talk with your family Doctor and seek his input based on the specific needs of your family member.

After you have narrowed down the service your loved one will need, you will need to investigate the providers in your area that offer these services.  The costs will vary from facility to facility, but you will want to make sure that you are receiving the best care for your loved one.  Cost is not always an indicator of that care, so be sure to interview those who will be placed in charge of your senior.

It is never an easy thing to grasp when you come to the understanding that your mother or father needs the care that they have always provided for you.  As you investigate the options from adult day care to senior home care, assure your loved one that you are seeking the option that best serves their needs.

Laura is healthcare professional who specializes in senior home care in Mount Pleasant.

The home health care industry is seeing an increased need for professionals.  If you are considering a career change, or trying to find a career path, there are a variety of jobs that fall under the home health care class.  This industry is anticipated to grow significantly over the next few years.

Although the majority of home health care positions involve services for our geriatric community, there are also positions available to provide for younger patients that are ill or disabled.  The needs are great in this industry; however, the variety of positions available may not be as diverse.  This job field does offer a variety of rewards in that the services you offer improve the quality of life for those that require the services.

If you are more management-minded but still want to make a difference, you might want to consider a job as an account manager or a placement agent.  This type of position gets you involved in the up-front interview phase of the home health care process.  You will meet with the family or client and help them decide on the action plan that best meets the need for the type of care required.

If you prefer to work directly with the patient, you could consider becoming a home health aide.  This job will allow you to interact directly with the patient.  This is a good position for someone that wants to see the immediate rewards of the efforts they put into their job.  You can work directly for the patient, or their family, or you can work through an agency that will place you with a patient.

There are varied positions with home health care agencies.  The two most recognizable job types are Personal Care Aides (PCA) and Home Health Aides (HHA).  Both positions required training in specialized areas, and are supervised by a Registered Nurse.  Although similar in some aspects, each position has certain differences.

A Personal Care Aide can meet the daily needs of an individual that requires assistance.  They may perform duties like bathing the patient, or helping them with walking and exercising.  A PCA has also been trained to assist with tasks like toileting.  They also are trained in how to help with transfers using mechanical lifts.  A PCA might also be hired to help with cleaning, meal preparations, and running errands.

A Home Health Aide provided all the nonprofessional nursing services listed above.  They can provide all the same services as a PCA, but a HHA is additionally trained in other areas.  They often provide services such as recording fluid intake, or taking the vital signs of the patients.  They may also provide assistance with bandage changes and are trained to recognize signs of infection.

This industry is one that provides the benefit of a career that leaves you feeling like you have made a difference at the end of the day.  Although the home health care industry may not provide a lot of flexibility in positions, it does provide an ample supply of job opportunities because of our aging population.

Laura is healthcare professional who specializes in senior home care in Mount Pleasant.