What is Private Duty Home Care?
In an ideal world, you would always be available to help your senior parent or grandparent. However, that’s not realistic for most families today. You might be working full-time and raising your own children, or maybe you live too far away to help them on a daily basis.
Hiring a private duty caregiver is a smart solution when a senior who wants to remain at home needs more assistance than family members can provide. Private duty caregivers are trained professionals who can be hired for short- or long-term contracts, depending on your loved one’s needs.
What Does a Private Duty Caregiver Do?
Professional private duty caregivers have the necessary training, licensing, and certifications to perform specific support tasks.
When you hire a provider through an agency, all of the provider’s duties and expectations will be outlined in a contract. Make sure you read and understand the contract before signing.
The caregiver’s duties will depend on your loved one’s needs and their care program. These might include:
- Helping with activities of daily living such as grooming, bathing, and toileting
- Managing medications
- Arranging for or providing transportation to appointments and social events
- Shopping for groceries and preparing meals
- Washing dishes, doing laundry, and other light housekeeping tasks
- Providing companionship
- Transferring your loved one from a bed to a wheelchair
- Providing Alzheimer’s and dementia care
Payment methods and other details will also be outlined in the contract. This legal agreement provides security and clarity for everyone. If all of the caregiver’s responsibilities are spelled out, an older adult can more comfortably age in place in the familiar home they know and love.
Private Duty Care vs. Home Health Care
Private duty care isn’t the only type of at-home care, and deciding what level of support your loved one needs can be confusing. The terms “private duty care” and “home health care” are often used interchangeably, but they are different services.
A home health care provider typically works short-term while a client is recovering from an illness or surgery. In addition to helping with activities of daily living, they may also provide physical or speech therapy, health education and monitoring, and some in-home nursing care.
Private duty care is typically a long-term service for seniors and others who need in-home support. The client may have a serious medical condition, such as Alzheimer’s disease. However, this type of care isn’t only for people with complex medical needs. Any senior who needs daily assistance and supervision can benefit from private duty care.
A private duty caregiver also plays an important role in providing companionship. They are an essential social connection — someone to watch a movie, play games, or go to special events with. These caregivers offer seniors the extra support they need to feel safe and confident while maintaining as much of their independence as possible.
Who Pays for Private Duty Home Care?
Many people assume that private duty care will be unaffordable, but that’s not always the case. A senior’s existing medical benefits may cover at least some of the expenses related to private care. You might explore these options:
- Veterans benefits
- Long-term care insurance
- Medicaid
- Medicare Advantage
- Hospice benefits
You can connect with more potential resources through services like United Way 211. Additionally, BenefitsCheckUp from the National Council on Aging provides information on local programs and agencies that can help.
Private duty care may be the key element that helps your loved one remain at home without risking their health or safety.
Is Private Duty Care Right for Your Loved One?
Private duty care is in-home care that may include help with activities of daily living, light housekeeping, transportation, and more. Companionship is also an important part of private duty caregiving and can help prevent seniors from feeling isolated and lonely.
When you hire a private caregiver, the exact services and payment expectations are written in a contract, but you may be able to renegotiate the terms if your loved one’s needs change over time.
Don’t assume that private care is out of your loved one’s budget. Their medical insurance might cover at least part of the cost. Other support may also be available. If you’re concerned that an older adult in your life is unsafe living at home alone, talk to them about hiring a private duty caregiver.
If you or your family member is considering in-home care as part of a plan to age in place, contact Family Matters In-Home Care today for a free consultation. Our team is dedicated to supporting your family and helping older adults enjoy life in the comfort of their own home for as long as possible.
Some of the services offered by Family Matter In-Home Care include: Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care, Bed & Wheelchair Transfer Assistance, Companionship, Housekeeping & Meal Preparation, Personal Care, Recovery Care, and Transportation.
Serving the San Francisco Bay Area and Greater San Diego, Family Matter In-Home Care has offices throughout California.
