Home care services empower countless seniors in the Marina del Rey and Santa Monica areas by allowing them to safely and comfortably “age-in-place.” These residents need extra help with activities of daily living (ADLs) but want to remain in their own homes rather than moving into assisted living facilities (ALFs). And there are certainly many people who sympathize with their preference!
But practically speaking, seniors must also factor in costs and budgets when reviewing home care options. While out-of-pocket expenses should be expected in most cases, there are certain “funding sources” that can help pay for services. And a trusted agency partner, such as BrightStar Care of Marina del Rey, can help facilitate the benefits.
Here are 5 of the most common financial resources available to seniors looking to offset caregiver costs:
1) Veterans Benefits – Many families assume veterans’ benefits are only available to those who served in combat during a major war. But that’s not true. People who served in supportive roles during “periods of conflict” can also qualify. And even “surviving spouses” may be eligible.
Navigating the veterans’ benefits landscape can be challenging for families, since there are a variety of resources with differing requirements and application processes. In fact, some are administered nationally, while others are specific to local VA hospitals. But the good news is a reputable home care agency can offer guidance to help families explore all possibilities.
Some caregiver companies, such as BrightStar Care of Marina del Rey, are even partnered with third-party organizations that help families applying for veterans’ resources. These services are free of charge and focus specifically on the “Aid and Attendance” benefit, which provides a monthly home care stipend to qualifying veterans.
2) Long-Term Care Insurance (LTCi) – Many families and spouses are quick to assume their loved one doesn’t have a long-term care insurance (LTCi) policy. They often regard the polices as extravagant or expensive and therefore an unlikely purchase. However, secret LTCi polices are more common than people realize.
For example, some folks purchase LTCi policies at young ages and then forget about them. They may not even handle the premium payments if an accountant or third-party representative manages their bills. And anyone can lose track of a decades-old benefit. Also, government employees and union workers are rather likely to have LTCi as a part of their benefits packages. A possible beneficiary in these scenarios would be a retired city bus driver, police officer, or union carpenter.
LTCi benefits vary from policy to policy. Some are very generous, while others are more limited. But regardless of the coverage, the key is to file a claim as early as possible. Most have an “elimination period,” which means the client must pay for services out of pocket for a specified time frame before insurance reimbursement begins. 90-day elimination periods are common, but the number of days can differ.
3) Medicare Advantage (MA) Plans – A newer home care funding source comes courtesy of certain Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. These are often regional offerings that expand Medicare benefits beyond their typical scope. For example, a MA plan offering might include gym membership reimbursement. And increasingly, it could also provide funding for home care services.
MA funding of caregivers is still a relatively new phenomenon, so families must research loved ones’ plans to determine the specifics. And it’s important to note that most are limited. People can typically expect no more than a few hours per week of covered home care. A senior who needs substantial help must still pay for most caregiver services out-of-pocket.
4) Community Programs – Local governments and private organizations sometimes fund home care services for community residents in need. While these are not funded by insurance companies, they usually have similarities with the afore-mentioned MA plan benefits. They are typically limited and usually serve more as supplemental help or “respite” (relief) for family caregivers. So, they shouldn’t be considered a comprehensive solution for people with significant care needs.
Families can explore options by reaching out to senior centers and other community organizations that focus on services for older adults. Cities may also have specific programs for qualifying residents. In rare cases, organizations focused on supporting patients battling certain diseases might have their own programs. For example, the Alzheimer’s Association has a “respite” program that can assist families seeking temporary home care assistance for a variety of reasons.
5) “Hybrid” Care Solutions, Respite & Adult Day Care – Some families and seniors may ultimately find that their care needs are best addressed by a hybrid solution. In other words, they welcome the idea of 24/7 caregiver services, but their limited budget requires a more creative approach. Fortunately, caregiver services aren’t an “all-or-nothing” proposition. They can often serve as a supplemental resource along with other care solutions.
Once effective strategy for some families is to combine “adult day care” services with supplemental caregiver support. Care needs are often greatest during business hours when families need to work or attend school. In those situations, an aging loved one can attend adult day care at a local senior center. And the care gaps can then be filled by a professional caregiver—perhaps earlier in the morning and later in the afternoon or evenings.
The previously referenced term, “respite,” is often used in healthcare when discussing family caregivers who need extra support. While people often view caregiver services as the only solution to aging-in-place, the truth is there are many potential combinations of services and actions that can address needs. Even if a family cannot afford 24/7 caregiver services, they may be able to budget for supplemental assistance from a home care agency. And that extra help can improve quality of life for everyone!
Summary - Some families shopping for home care are disillusioned once they learn the service is an out-of-pocket expense and not covered by health insurance or Medicare. But instead of giving up, they are better served by exploring all the options. Truthfully, financial support is available to many through veterans’ benefits and long-term care insurance. And for family caregivers facing burnout or other life obligations, supplemental caregiver services can fill the gaps without breaking the bank!
If you have a loved one, friend, or patient in need of home care in Santa Monica, Marina del Rey, Brentwood, or the greater Westside region, be sure to call BrightStar Care today for a free registered nurse (RN) assessment!
But practically speaking, seniors must also factor in costs and budgets when reviewing home care options. While out-of-pocket expenses should be expected in most cases, there are certain “funding sources” that can help pay for services. And a trusted agency partner, such as BrightStar Care of Marina del Rey, can help facilitate the benefits.
Here are 5 of the most common financial resources available to seniors looking to offset caregiver costs:
1) Veterans Benefits – Many families assume veterans’ benefits are only available to those who served in combat during a major war. But that’s not true. People who served in supportive roles during “periods of conflict” can also qualify. And even “surviving spouses” may be eligible.
Navigating the veterans’ benefits landscape can be challenging for families, since there are a variety of resources with differing requirements and application processes. In fact, some are administered nationally, while others are specific to local VA hospitals. But the good news is a reputable home care agency can offer guidance to help families explore all possibilities.
Some caregiver companies, such as BrightStar Care of Marina del Rey, are even partnered with third-party organizations that help families applying for veterans’ resources. These services are free of charge and focus specifically on the “Aid and Attendance” benefit, which provides a monthly home care stipend to qualifying veterans.
2) Long-Term Care Insurance (LTCi) – Many families and spouses are quick to assume their loved one doesn’t have a long-term care insurance (LTCi) policy. They often regard the polices as extravagant or expensive and therefore an unlikely purchase. However, secret LTCi polices are more common than people realize.
For example, some folks purchase LTCi policies at young ages and then forget about them. They may not even handle the premium payments if an accountant or third-party representative manages their bills. And anyone can lose track of a decades-old benefit. Also, government employees and union workers are rather likely to have LTCi as a part of their benefits packages. A possible beneficiary in these scenarios would be a retired city bus driver, police officer, or union carpenter.
LTCi benefits vary from policy to policy. Some are very generous, while others are more limited. But regardless of the coverage, the key is to file a claim as early as possible. Most have an “elimination period,” which means the client must pay for services out of pocket for a specified time frame before insurance reimbursement begins. 90-day elimination periods are common, but the number of days can differ.
3) Medicare Advantage (MA) Plans – A newer home care funding source comes courtesy of certain Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. These are often regional offerings that expand Medicare benefits beyond their typical scope. For example, a MA plan offering might include gym membership reimbursement. And increasingly, it could also provide funding for home care services.
MA funding of caregivers is still a relatively new phenomenon, so families must research loved ones’ plans to determine the specifics. And it’s important to note that most are limited. People can typically expect no more than a few hours per week of covered home care. A senior who needs substantial help must still pay for most caregiver services out-of-pocket.
4) Community Programs – Local governments and private organizations sometimes fund home care services for community residents in need. While these are not funded by insurance companies, they usually have similarities with the afore-mentioned MA plan benefits. They are typically limited and usually serve more as supplemental help or “respite” (relief) for family caregivers. So, they shouldn’t be considered a comprehensive solution for people with significant care needs.
Families can explore options by reaching out to senior centers and other community organizations that focus on services for older adults. Cities may also have specific programs for qualifying residents. In rare cases, organizations focused on supporting patients battling certain diseases might have their own programs. For example, the Alzheimer’s Association has a “respite” program that can assist families seeking temporary home care assistance for a variety of reasons.
5) “Hybrid” Care Solutions, Respite & Adult Day Care – Some families and seniors may ultimately find that their care needs are best addressed by a hybrid solution. In other words, they welcome the idea of 24/7 caregiver services, but their limited budget requires a more creative approach. Fortunately, caregiver services aren’t an “all-or-nothing” proposition. They can often serve as a supplemental resource along with other care solutions.
Once effective strategy for some families is to combine “adult day care” services with supplemental caregiver support. Care needs are often greatest during business hours when families need to work or attend school. In those situations, an aging loved one can attend adult day care at a local senior center. And the care gaps can then be filled by a professional caregiver—perhaps earlier in the morning and later in the afternoon or evenings.
The previously referenced term, “respite,” is often used in healthcare when discussing family caregivers who need extra support. While people often view caregiver services as the only solution to aging-in-place, the truth is there are many potential combinations of services and actions that can address needs. Even if a family cannot afford 24/7 caregiver services, they may be able to budget for supplemental assistance from a home care agency. And that extra help can improve quality of life for everyone!
Summary - Some families shopping for home care are disillusioned once they learn the service is an out-of-pocket expense and not covered by health insurance or Medicare. But instead of giving up, they are better served by exploring all the options. Truthfully, financial support is available to many through veterans’ benefits and long-term care insurance. And for family caregivers facing burnout or other life obligations, supplemental caregiver services can fill the gaps without breaking the bank!
If you have a loved one, friend, or patient in need of home care in Santa Monica, Marina del Rey, Brentwood, or the greater Westside region, be sure to call BrightStar Care today for a free registered nurse (RN) assessment!