At 1+1 Cares, our goal is to make quality care accessible by matching seniors and caregivers that are best suited to one another in order to increase the satisfaction of all involved. Seniors and their family members gain the peace of mind of knowing someone is always around to care for them and assist with daily activities. They can choose from pre-qualified caregivers who have the right experience and skills, and who stay within their budget. This makes it possible for seniors to get the care they need and may not otherwise be able to obtain.
Caregivers who are registered with 1+1 Cares have the opportunity to be matched with their ideal clients and work the hours they want. They can also choose where they work and how much they will be paid, plus, they don’t have to search for their own clients independently. This allows them to focus primarily on providing care and increases work satisfaction.
Whether you are looking to find a senior caregiver or would like to become one, you probably have a lot of questions about how everything works. Learn more about 1+1 Cares, and check out the guide below for answers to common questions about in-home senior care.
In-home senior care costs will vary depending on where you live in the country, as well as which type of care is needed and how many hours per week assistance is required. You can get an idea of approximately how much in-home senior care will cost using the information below.
Home care aides will visit for 2 to 8 hours, several days a week. The national average pay for a home care aide is $21 per hour and ranges between $16 and $34 per hour based on your location. This type of care includes non-medical services for clients both at home and in assisted living facilities. Services may include things like laundry, light cleaning, grocery shopping, cooking, or transportation. They may even help with bathing, dressing, or eating.
With 1+1 Cares, you can make arrangements for home care aides, and even 24-hour live-in senior care. We are happy to answer questions about the cost of care in your area and will work to make payments easy and manageable.
Receiving in-home care is less expensive than you might think. In fact, at an average of nearly $70,000 per year, a nursing home can actually cost approximately 75% more than in-home care. With in-home caregivers referred by 1+1 Cares, you will be matched with a caregiver that is best suited to your individual needs, including your budget. Our goal is to help seniors get the care they need, easily and affordably. Learn more about the social impact of 1+1 Cares and how we are making a positive impact on families.
There are various levels of care that may be needed from an in-home aide. Medicare does not cover in-home care 24 hours a day, or homemaker and personal care services if those are the only services you need. But Medicare does cover intermittent skilled nursing or skilled therapy care, and “part-time or intermittent home health aide services.” The services are usually coordinated through a home health care agency, a medical company. Costs may depend on whether you have other coverage as well, such as a Medicare Advantage Plan, or a Medicare supplement (Medigap).
Medicare typically covers medical needs, including a skilled nursing aide and skilled therapy aide. A skilled nursing aide, under supervision from a licensed nurse, can provide services in your home that include basic medical care. For example, this type of aide can help manage and assess your treatment and care plan, assist with injections, catheters, and more. A skilled nursing aide typically visits for an hour a few times a week.
A skilled therapy aide, with guidance from licensed physical, speech, or occupational therapist, can help with in-home therapy treatments. The cost may be covered through Medicare for in-home assistance with physical strength-building activities, exercises to help regain language and speaking skills, and re-learning to care for yourself during daily activities like eating and dressing. Like a skilled nursing aide, a skilled therapy aide typically visits for an hour a few times a week.
Neither skilled nursing or therapy aides address non-medical care such as the activities of daily living (ADL’s). ADLs may include dressing, bathing, shopping, light cleaning, or cooking, among others.
Medicare may also cover the cost of social services like emotional counseling. Plus, you can get help paying for needed medical supplies and equipment.
There are many different reasons a person may find themselves in need of 24-hour care at home, including dementia, ALS, depression, surgery recovery, fall risk, or is prone to wandering or self-harm. 1+1 Cares by matching you or your loved one with a compassionate skilled caregiver who can devote the needed time and attention, as well as assist with activities of daily living (ADLs).
24-hour care can be arranged for temporary needs, such as recovering from an illness or surgery. It can also be set up on a more permanent basis for seniors in need of indefinite full-time care. This way, a loved one can remain at home where he or she is most comfortable and surrounded by a familiar environment and loved ones.
There are two different types of 24-hour care to choose from. You can have a live-in aide who remains in the home throughout the day and sleeps there at night. This person will be nearby in case there are needs that must be met during the night, but will not remain awake at all times. You can also choose to have 2 or 3 people split up during a 24-hour period. This would allow for someone to remain awake and watchful throughout the night if needed, and for caregivers to have more time for rest.
Both options for 24-hour care can be advantageous depending on your needs. While dividing shifts among multiple caregivers may provide well-rested aides, a live-in caregiver is often more affordable and better able to develop a trusting relationship with the client.
The number of hours a live-in caregiver works will depend on the type of care needed and the shifts the client has chosen. Typically, “live-in care” refers to one caregiver who lives with the client for X number of days and is available for 16 hours a day, with 8 hours rest. This person sleeps during the night but is typically able to respond to any needs that arise during this time. Local and state laws for meal and break times apply.
Another option is for two or three caregivers to work 8- to 12-hour shifts at a time and split up the workweek. This allows for 24-hour monitoring and constant assistance, and also leaves time for caregivers to rest between shifts. Clients with more intensive care needs like wandering, dementia, self-harm risks, may benefit more from this type of continuous care because while caregivers are on shift, they do not take extended breaks or go to sleep.
Both of these types of 24-hour care are available through 1+1 Cares referred caregivers, and we will match you with an experienced and qualified caregiver who is best suited to your needs.
Many seniors prefer to remain living at home as they get older, which means at some point, they will need someone to provide them with care and assistance. It is not uncommon for a family member to want to help an elderly parent stay at home and choose to take on the role of a caregiver for their loved one. However, many underestimate the time and effort that goes into such a role, particularly in the long-term. It is easy for a family caregiver to become burned out, stressed out, and frustrated.
If you are currently caring for an aging family member, start keeping notes about the tasks you are helping with and how often. Make a plan for continued care for another month or two and estimate the amount of time that will be spent completing these tasks. Consider whether this is really something you can continue to do long-term without harming your own health.
The next step is to get help or bring in a professional caregiver. If your current plan requires multiple family members to divide tasks and coordinate schedules, or if everything falls on one person, then it is probably time to get a professional caregiver to provide in-home care. There are a variety of options available for caregivers who will come to your home and assist with daily activities and basic medical needs. 1+1 Cares will help you find the caregiver that best suits your needs.
While some seniors are able to use tools such as a walker or bars to grab onto in the bathroom, many require assistance from other people to complete daily activities. On average, seniors in need of daily help require approximately 200 hours of care each month, which is a lot for a family member to take on, especially for an extended period of time. Generally, seniors need the most help with the following services and can benefit from a hired caregiver who can help in these areas.
Mobility – As it becomes increasingly difficult to get around, your loved one may need to get assistance from a walker, cane, or wheelchair. It is also wise to start installing ramps and handrails or invest in lifts or a hospital bed. Clear obstacles such as electrical cords, rugs, and furniture that may be a tripping hazard, especially for walkers and canes. Have sufficient lighting in key areas such as restrooms and any area with steps.
Personal Care – Personal care includes tasks like bathing, dressing, combing hair, and other grooming.
Transportation – When it is no longer safe to drive, it is a good idea to have someone who can drive to doctor appointments, errands, and social events.
Nutrition/Cooking – It may also become more difficult to regularly cook and prepare meals. A nutritionist or caregiver can help plan healthy meals, prepare meals ahead of time, or assist with cooking. In some cases, assistance with feeding.
Medication – Caregivers can help or remind clients to take medication and even assist with injections.
With over 50 million seniors in the US alone, and the vast majority of them wish to stay at home, the senior care industry is rapidly growing. One of the best ways to provide care to this population, while enabling seniors to remain in familiar surroundings among family members, is to provide in-home care. Not only is this a rewarding and meaningful career option, but it highly sought after and needed.
Caregivers through typical senior care businesses are paid an hourly rate while the client pays a significant amount (up to 100% of the caregiver rate) to the business, but as an independent senior caregiver, you would receive the full payment amount. Independent caregivers can register with 1+1 Cares, where caregivers receive nearly all of what the client pays, while the client pays a nominal fee. 1+1 Cares has many clients with a wide range of needs and schedules and we help Caregivers find great clients. Caregivers can choose which clients fit their wanted criteria. Caregivers have the benefit of choosing their own hours, which clients to work with, and the pay rate amount. Clients have great caregivers at significantly less cost than traditional models.
There are many benefits and services you can take advantage of when using in-home care for a family. For starters, there is no need for your loved ones to move out of their homes or live with strangers in a full-time care facility. They can stay where they feel most comfortable and are surrounded by their loved ones. Your loved ones will also be able to maintain some independence and save on the cost of care.
The in-home care services available for seniors will depend on the caregiver, as well as the needs of the client. However, the possibilities are numerous. Below are some of the most common in-home care services offered by caregivers through 1+1 Cares, as well as some bonus services that may be available upon request.
Non-Medical Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
Concierge Service Suggestions
We can help you find what you need. Contact us at (888) 321-4711 to find out more information. Also, you can check out our helpful resources if you are looking for care or wanting to give care.
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