November 5, 2024 • 30 mins
Discover the transformative power of non-medical home care and how it can significantly uplift the lives of individuals choosing to age in place. Our insightful discussion during National Home Care Month and National Family Caregivers Month shines a light on how the supportive services provided by trained caregivers—such as meal preparation, bathing, and companionship—contribute to maintaining independence and quality of life. We clear up common misconceptions, reinforcing that home care enhances rather than diminishes independence by ensuring daily activities are conducted safely.
We also delve into the emotional and physical demands placed on family caregivers, who often face increased health risks and emotional strain. Our conversation highlights the importance of recognizing signs that indicate when non-medical home care might be necessary, such as frequent forgetfulness or safety concerns. Through personal stories, we underscore the importance of balancing caregiving duties with personal life to prevent burnout and promote healthy family dynamics.
Finally, we explore the importance of early intervention and how personalized care plans crafted by home care agencies can help prevent incidents like falls among the elderly. By choosing the right agency and caregiver, families can ensure a positive home care experience that prioritizes the health and happiness of their loved ones. Resources on our podcast website provide additional guidance, encouraging listeners to engage with our content and support our mission to help navigate life's transitions with positivity and purpose.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hello everyone and welcome to the Journey Out
podcast, where we were designedto be the helping hand for
everyday people who are on theirExodus journey.
My name is Bree and I am one ofyour hosts.
Speaker 2 (00:10):
And I'm Antoine.
Speaker 1 (00:11):
And we are here today to kind of celebrate November.
November is a month filled withimportant national holidays, in
particular, national Home CareMonth, national Family
Caregivers Month and NationalAlzheimer's Disease Awareness
Month Month.
National Family CaregiversMonth and National Alzheimer's
Disease Awareness Month.
Today we want to talk abouthome care, discussing the
importance of home care and whatit actually looks like having a
(00:33):
caregiver come into your home.
So let's jump in.
What is home care.
How do I navigate health care?
Speaker 2 (00:36):
What do I do when I feel down and depressed?
Speaker 1 (00:42):
I'm stressed Am I enough?
What can I do?
What is this going to cost?
All right, so what isnon-medical home care?
So non-medical home care refersto supportive services provided
in a client's home to assistwith daily activities that are
not medical in nature healthcare professionals like nurses
or doctors, who are providingtreatment for illnesses or
(01:05):
injuries, includingadministering medications,
monitoring health conditions andconducting medical procedures.
Now for non-medical care thatfocuses on assistance with daily
living activities rather thanmedical treatment.
It's often provided by trainedcaregivers rather than licensed
health care professionals.
So can you talk to me a littlebit about some of the examples
(01:25):
of non-medical home care?
Speaker 2 (01:27):
So non-medical home care has caregivers that come
into the home right and assistwith ADLs those ADLs which is
activity of daily living or mealpreparation, bathing, grooming,
lighthouse keeping,transportation to and from
doctor's appointments or foractivities and also
(01:48):
companionship services.
Speaker 1 (01:50):
Right, right.
And with those services theyare there as support.
Again, the goal is to maintainindependence.
So those caregivers are thereto assist in those activities
and make sure that they're onedoing it safely, but also that
they have support for thoseactivities.
Speaker 2 (02:07):
And the caregivers are also there to be the eyes
and ears for the family.
Speaker 1 (02:10):
Right, absolutely.
Speaker 2 (02:11):
Like you say, fall risks and things like that can
happen.
So the caregivers are there togive the family an update on how
their load was doing as well.
Speaker 1 (02:19):
Absolutely.
I'm sure everybody's like whyis non-medical home care
important?
Well, there are a few reasonswhy non-medical home care is
important, the first one beingenhanced quality of life.
So it's important to understandthat when clients want to stay
in their home and we know that70 million plus Americans have
already decided hey, I'm goingto age in place, I'm going to
(02:40):
stay at home, I'm going toreceive all of my care at home,
I don't want to leave my home.
So, in place, I'm going to stayat home, I'm going to receive
all of my care at home, I don'twant to leave my home.
So, if they're saying that andthey want to stay in their home,
we're here to provide enhancedquality of life.
So we have caregivers who aregoing to engage them in daily
activities, maybe hobbies.
There's going to be some socialinteractions there and they
really contribute to helpingfulfill their life, making sure
(03:03):
that they're doing, you know,everything that they need on a
day-to-day basis.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
And that could be also like helping them with
exercises, right?
Right, that can also be hey,let's have a movie, let's go to
the movies, take them to themovies, take them to the park.
Right, just doing things tomake their life be more
fulfilled, right, not only justkeeping them at home, but being
active in their community aswell.
Right, only just keeping themat home, but being active in
their community as well.
Speaker 1 (03:23):
Right, and then I would say the second reason why
it's super important is itpromotes independence.
Yes, a lot of there's stigmaaround having a caregiver come
in and help.
One of the main things that wehear is well, I don't need a
caregiver because you know momand dad is going to lose all of
their independence, or I'm notgoing to be able to cook my
(03:45):
meals on my own or do thosethings, and that's totally not
what home care is.
Speaker 2 (03:48):
Well, home care and having a caregiver in the home,
like I say, it's the eyes andears for the family, right, but
it's to help them keep theirindependence, right.
So assisting them with maybeputting their clothes on right.
Doing their meals for them.
It's not to take away theirindependence, it's just to help
them in things that they needassistance with, right Right, so
they can be in their homelonger.
Speaker 1 (04:10):
Right.
Speaker 2 (04:10):
Because if that caregiver is not there and
should say your loved one have ahistory of falls, that
caregiver is there to helpprevent those falls.
Speaker 1 (04:18):
Right.
Speaker 2 (04:18):
So if a fall of care and the caregiver is not in the
home, then guess what?
Speaker 1 (04:29):
That take away more independence from your loved one
than having a caregiver there.
Right and we're going to talkabout this more about you know
about what home care reallytruly looks like, but when a
caregiver is coming into thehome, it's important that we
assess what they actually needassistance with, right?
If, if home care is to you know, maintain autonomy, maintain
that client's autonomy, thenthat means if they're
(04:50):
comfortable with preparing theirmeals, they can still do all
that.
Really, the issue a son ordaughter has been seeing is mom
cannot maintain her medicationsin this pill jar she's taking a
bunch of pills at differenttimes.
She can't seem to do that.
Well then, that's where thecaregiver is going to come in
and help.
Medication reminders,Medication reminders.
The caregiver is going to comein and make sure.
Okay, let's make sure she takesthe right medication at this
(05:11):
time.
Let's make sure this pillcontainer is filled like it's
supposed to according to thatmedication list, and then she
can make her own meals.
We won't even add that to thecare plan.
We can just watch her make sureshe does that safely, supervise
that, but help where the needis.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
So you added the care plan into this.
So tell them a little bit moreabout the care plan and what you
were saying about.
Hey, we won't help assist withmeals, but we want to make sure
she take her medication.
Speaker 1 (05:36):
Right.
So when you have, typically itcould be an agency, it could be
a personal caregiver.
We'll just talk from agencystandpoint, since we we have an
agency.
We know about the agency'spoint of view.
When you have an agency comingin to assist your loved one with
activities that they are living, what they should be doing is
coming in and providing you witha care plan, a plan where you,
(05:58):
you and the agency, discuss whatis needed for your loved one.
You and the agency discuss whatis needed for your loved one.
If your loved one is cognitiveenough to be able to assist in
that conversation, please havetheir input in that conversation
, because we want to make surethat we're giving them what they
desire when they're in thathome.
(06:19):
So a care plan looks likethings from personal care to
housekeeping, to transportation,whether it's medication,
reminders, different things.
At that point, on that careplan you're discussing, can mom
handle personal care on her own?
Can she handle housekeeping onher own?
Can she handle oral hygiene onher own?
Speaker 2 (06:38):
Or do she need assistance?
Speaker 1 (06:39):
with those.
Speaker 2 (06:40):
Also with that personal care plan.
What we also like to look intois what were their hobbies?
What did they like to do?
You know what I'm saying?
Do they like to go into thegarden and plant flowers or
water?
Their flowers or something likethat.
Do they like to look atpictures?
Do they like to watch FamilyFeud?
Right, you know what I'm sayingDo they like to watch old
Western movies?
Speaker 1 (07:07):
We want to know about your family as much as possible
right, so we can make sure thatthey get in the proper care
that they deserve Exactly.
And so that leads us to thethird reason why home care is
important companionship, I meanthat's a critical role.
Social interaction is acritical role for caregivers,
and it's also something that alot of clients and their
families lack, which is thatsocial interaction.
And typically, if they live inthe home by themselves, where
(07:31):
are they going to get theinteraction from?
So usual, like the hobbies wetalked about going to the senior
center, or maybe they like togo play golf with their friends,
or wherever that might be.
Well, what happens when theydraw back from doing those
things?
Speaker 2 (07:46):
Social isolation.
They still want that right, butmaybe it comes in a different
form and that caregiver being inthat home can provide that
probably not at the level thatthey were at, but at the level
that they are now.
Speaker 1 (07:59):
Right, absolutely, I think the one that sums it up.
That just sums up theimportance of why having no
medical home care is importantis reducing caregiver burnout.
Speaker 2 (08:12):
Oh yes.
Speaker 1 (08:13):
I think one many families have that challenge
providing care on an emotionaland physical level, but also
still dealing with their ownfamilies having a career exactly
, and still trying to be therefor everybody.
It's just super important thatyou're able to take breaks,
(08:36):
recharge and then tend to yourown needs as well.
I have some statistics that Ikind of want to go over a little
bit.
It says 70% of familycaregivers report feelings of
depression, family caregiversare 20% more likely to have high
blood pressure, 50% more likelyto suffer daily physical pain,
(08:57):
30% say they do not have regularcompanionship, 25% of older
adults feel isolated and one in7 caregivers have heart disease
and or stroke.
Speaker 2 (09:08):
And you're talking about the caregiver that's
taking care of their familymember.
Speaker 1 (09:12):
Exactly.
Speaker 2 (09:13):
Right, so that son or daughter that's taking care of
their mother or their father orspouse or grandchild.
So that is a heartbreakingstatistics that you just went
over there, but that just showsthe need of home care.
Speaker 1 (09:28):
Right.
Speaker 2 (09:29):
That shows the need that, hey, that family member
need respite.
Right, they need some time totheir self to recharge and get
back to their family, right, whythey love their love and why
they have no problem with takingcare of their mother or their
father.
Right, it still take a toll onthem, right, you know,
especially with dealing.
(09:49):
Okay, just so you say, hey, theperson that raised me.
Speaker 1 (09:54):
Right.
Speaker 2 (09:55):
Is no longer and the person that I depended on is not
the person that they are today,right Back then, right, does
that make sense?
So the mother that I knew orthe father that I knew has
changed dramatically to wherethey depended on me, right, you
know.
And so in taking care of yourlove and I know you have no
problem in doing that but it'simportant to recognize that it
(10:18):
does take a toll, knowingly orunknowingly.
Speaker 1 (10:21):
Right.
Speaker 2 (10:21):
And with those statistics, man, that's wild
Only or unknowingly Right.
And with those, statistics.
Speaker 1 (10:24):
Man, that's wild, I mean, and we don't think about
it like that.
You know, another statisticthat was not talked about was
that family caregivers provide20 plus hours a week of care.
So say, for instance, me I'mtaking care of you, right?
And so not only Are you readyto take care of me now, I am
ready to take care of you, youknow we've been doing this, I am
ready to take care you knowwe've been doing this.
Speaker 2 (10:45):
We've been doing this for a while.
Our ducks are in a row, Okay.
Speaker 1 (10:48):
Okay, so if I'm taking care of you right, I'm
going.
Okay, so what will my care planbe?
Oh, you know what.
So how I envision you in thefuture.
Okay, I know we signed track,but go ahead.
Speaker 2 (11:01):
No, this is fine.
Okay, I know we signed Trey,but go ahead.
Speaker 1 (11:03):
No, this is fine.
Okay, how I envision you in thefuture.
So one thing about my fatherhere y'all, oh Lord, he does not
play when it comes to likegrooming.
He wants to be clean, he wantsto be fresh.
I see showers not beingdifficult for him in the future.
I see him wanting to do that.
So we will make sure we'reassisting there with showers,
(11:26):
definitely helping get himdressed.
I think he might need a littleassistance there, but making
sure it matches.
You know he's creased up.
You know he looks good fromhead to toe Jordan's shoes.
You know we be, you know we betight, right, he loves to eat,
so meal preparation woulddefinitely be a part of his care
plan, and it can't be anythinghealthy.
Speaker 2 (11:47):
Ok, because he's going to throw that away.
Speaker 1 (11:49):
He's not going to eat that, so something that he's
used to you know, am I inalignment?
Speaker 2 (11:54):
OK, you, you, you, you, you there.
Ok, I get it Cool, all right,so now I'm taking care of you
and I know all those thingsRight.
Speaker 1 (12:02):
I'm providing 20 plus hour care for you, according to
the statistics, each week, butI also work a 40 hour work week.
I have a husband and I havekids that when I come home they
are depending on me too, yes,but also you're depending on me.
And my mom is like Brie.
I need some assistance with dad.
You know he's not X, y and Z.
So when you put all of thattogether, you know we're looking
(12:27):
at what a lot of people callstress.
Yes, and you're being pulled atevery angle, and so having
somebody comes in relieves thatstress from you.
You can focus on husband andkids, have a caregiver come in
and provide the support for yourloved one, and then you can
still oversee that support.
(12:47):
You can still be there for momand dad.
You can still come in and checkon mom and dad, but there's
someone to help you do the heavylifting.
Speaker 2 (12:53):
How many hours?
You say they doing 20 hours.
About 20 hours per week, youcan get 20 hours back of your
life.
That's Monday through Friday.
If you divide it four hours outof a day Monday through Friday
you know 20 hours out of a weekthat your loved one is getting
taken care of, right, and thatgives you 20 hours to
concentrate on your family,right, and so that's caregiver
(13:17):
burnout is real, and having acaregiver come to your home is a
big way to stop and help thatout Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (13:24):
I know a big question probably is now All right, home
care is important.
I understand that.
When should I start lookinginto non-medical home care?
What is the telltale sign, thebig red flag that indicates I
need that?
Speaker 2 (13:39):
Well, some people think when mom or dad cannot do
nothing for themselves, rightwhen they're bed bound, that's
too late.
You want to kind of stop itbefore it gets to that point
Absolutely, absolutely.
So maybe you probably noticedmom and dad forgetting their
keys a lot.
Maybe you probably noticed, hey, adam came to visit mom or dad
(14:01):
and the oven is still on andthey sitting there watching TV.
Maybe mom or dad has driven tothe store over the years the
same route countless of timesbut you're getting phone calls
that, hey, they don't know wherethey're at or they forgot how
to get to the store or somethinglike that.
Also, maybe if a fall occurredor something like that all these
(14:26):
are telltale signs and there'smore of them that, hey, maybe we
should get somebody in here toassist with my little one.
Speaker 1 (14:32):
Right, and then again kind of what we were talking
about earlier.
It doesn't have to be.
They need assistance witheverything in order to start
home care, because that's justnot the case.
Another tell-tale sign could besocial isolation.
Yes, if they decide like hey,they're always going to the
church on Wednesday nights andSundays, and they're always
doing this, they're veryinvolved in their church and
(14:54):
then all of a sudden they stop,and then now they're not going.
Speaker 2 (14:58):
One wins to go by mom .
Speaker 1 (14:59):
Did you go to?
Speaker 2 (15:00):
church.
No, I'm not going next.
Speaker 1 (15:02):
Wednesday.
Speaker 2 (15:02):
Yeah, now you start seeing that pattern.
What's going on?
Speaker 1 (15:06):
There's something happening there, so now it's a
sit down.
Ok, mom, dad, what's going onwith this?
I noticed you haven't gone tochurch.
Well, we don't want to just letthat fester because, again,
like you were talking about,early prevention is important.
You don't want that to fester.
What you want to do is go aheadand see the problem which, hey,
they're not they living at homeby themselves, they're not
doing doing anything or gettingback out into their community.
(15:27):
I don't want them to feelisolated, I don't want them to
feel depressed.
Speaker 2 (15:30):
Maybe I should get someone to come in and to assist
with companionship, talking,engaging them in some activities
, maybe getting them to go backto the church by using the
transportation service andtaking them to the church, being
with them for a little bit andcoming back home, and you also,
if you have that gut feelingthat something is wrong, right,
(15:51):
I think that's when hey, justtake the example of missing
church.
Okay, hey, let me go to churchwith you this Wednesday.
Let me go to church with youthis Sunday, so you can see
what's going on.
Hey, I'll be there an hour tooearly.
We're going to get dressed atyour house so you can kind of
see the vibe for lack of betterwords that's going on in the
house with your lover.
Speaker 1 (16:10):
Right, and where you mentioned you mentioned falls
right.
Yes, one thing that's superimportant and I want families to
hear me and hear me closelysons, daughters hear me closely.
It only takes one time, onetime on two different stances,
(16:33):
one time to fall and it beserious.
But also, it should only takeone time for them to fall and
you see trouble right.
It should take one fall to belike, hey, you fail, and I know
that's kind of out of the norm,but I don't want you to do that
again.
Let me get somebody in here tohelp and make sure that you stay
safe, because when someonefalls, the likelihood another
(16:55):
statistic, and I'm hitting themwith you, this episode.
Speaker 2 (16:59):
Yeah, go ahead.
Speaker 1 (17:00):
You are likely to fall again in the next six
months.
But guess what?
We cannot determine how fatalthat fall will be.
We don't know if it's a brokenhip, we don't know if they'll be
just fine.
Maybe it's just a little bumpon the head or whatever it may
be.
But we'd rather not get to thatpoint.
We'd rather say hey, mom anddad just fell.
Let me get a couple hours inhere with the caregiver just so
(17:22):
they can monitor them around thetime that they fell, during the
activity that they were doingwhen they fell.
Speaker 2 (17:27):
So that way we can try to minimize this or prevent
something greater from forhappening in the future, because
once you fall, you will Godforbid, but you're going to fall
again.
Speaker 1 (17:38):
Falls occur, so now you're a fall risk, a fall risk
right, and falls are one of theleading causes of death among
older adults, and so we cannot.
We don't want them to be a partof that statistic.
We want to stop it before itbecomes an issue, and so just
early prevention is super key tomake sure that we are
(17:59):
monitoring their health andprevent further decline in their
health.
Speaker 2 (18:03):
So when you go through these signs, or you see
something, or you're worriedabout something, or your gut
gives you that feeling, or afall occur, or you something is
not right around the house withmom or dad, that's the time
where you need to take a setaside some time to say, hey, let
me spend some time with them,let me try to be more there
present present to see what'sgoing on, so you can see for
(18:26):
yourself and you can learn thosetelltale signs and you can say,
hey, this is when I need toseek home care.
Speaker 1 (18:32):
Yeah, and again, remember, home care does not
have to be all encompassing atthe total care right off the bat
.
No, you pick a little thing.
Hey, mom just needs help withthis, can you just help me with
this?
And then progress from there.
Right, how does home care work?
So I mentioned earlier thefirst thing.
If you're hiring an agency tocome into the home and to
(18:54):
provide that level of support,the first thing they're going to
do is set up what we call aconsultation.
They're going to set up thatconsultation.
Some are free, some are.
There's like a little deposityou have to put down for it,
just depending on the agency.
But they're going to come andthey're going to do a
consultation with you.
At that point they should befiguring out your loved one's
medical history.
(19:14):
They should be doing what wecall a care plan, figuring out
what needs they actually needhelp with.
So they should be assessing ifit's physical support that's
needed, maybe it's justemotional support that's needed,
maybe it's just social supportthat's needed, or maybe it's all
three.
And you know they will tailoror provide a custom plan,
(19:34):
personalized care plan, for yourloved one.
Once that's completed, the nextstep is getting the caregiver in
there.
Now, when you're dealing withthe agency and I suggest this
for all families who are lookinginto non-medical home care
please say, hey, this is goingto be an intimate thing bringing
a caregiver into the home.
(19:55):
Can we meet that caregiverfirst?
What is the caregiver'sbackground?
Those different things?
It's okay to ask that and, toyou know, talk with your agency
about those questions.
Research your agency Researchyour agency.
Ask those different questions.
Make sure your agency islicensed throughout the state of
Texas to provide their services.
Make sure they are checkingreferences and background checks
(20:17):
and all the different thingsthat's needed to make sure that
the person coming into your homeis capable of doing so and you
know they're safe.
But ask hey, can we meet thatcaregiver and see if it's a good
match, a good fit?
Now, just being honest, thecaregiver has to learn your
loved one and vice versa.
Your loved one has to learn thecaregiver.
(20:38):
So it will take some time aweek or so for them to kind of
mesh, get a routine down thatfits well for them.
But what you're assessing ispersonality to personality.
Does that match?
Are they kind of one?
Do they like the same things?
If, even if they don't like thesame things, can she or he
relate to what my loved onelikes?
(20:58):
Um, are they, if they?
Your loved one likes gardening.
Do you know anything aboutgardening?
Speaker 2 (21:03):
he probably won't know anything about gardening,
but he's willing to learn and bethere with your loved one in
the time to help them with that.
Speaker 1 (21:11):
Exactly so that.
So that's kind of what that,what that consultation looks
like.
Also getting a good, good timeframe, the days and the time
that you want a caregiver tocome out, and kind of moving
from there on the routine thatusually the caregiver and your
loved one will kind of come upwith as they go day to day.
Like, hey, I don't really wantto wake up that early, so let's
(21:33):
wake up around this time, getbreakfast started around this
time and they can kind of comeup with their routine.
Speaker 2 (21:37):
So you have the care plan and then, as the caregiver
comes in, they go on by theircare plan, but they also get to
know your loved one and theydevelop in a routine, right?
So maybe you probably say, hey,I think mom or dad should get
up a little earlier.
Okay, they usually get up atnine, but you want them to get
up at eight?
Okay, as that caregiver get toknow your loved one, that will
(21:58):
be implemented.
So your wishes are met and ifit's best for your loved one to
do so, we will make sure that'sdone.
Speaker 1 (22:05):
Right, Right and so, and then from there, after the
caregiver is in place.
You know you've been throughall the things that need to be
done Ever so often.
The agency should be comingback in to do regular updates
and regular checks.
So, because the care plan isnot going to stay the same,
Right, no matter what we think,you know, your mom is not going
to be the same mom six monthsfrom now, especially if they're
(22:25):
dealing with a diagnosis that isprogressive Alzheimer's
dementia, something like that.
They're not going to be thesame person.
So, being able to have regularupdates and checking, adjusting
that care plan as needed,because on day one she probably
didn't need to use the walker,but on day 60, she is super
unsteady on her feet and thewalker is best to prevent falls,
(22:46):
and so that's kind of whatyou're monitoring.
The caregiver should bemonitoring that.
Speaker 2 (22:50):
The agency should be aware of everything that's going
on inside the home as well, andalso in some cases, hey, she
needs to use the walker when wefirst started, but hey, he or
she is getting better to wherethey don't need the walker.
Speaker 1 (23:03):
They can go both ways .
Speaker 2 (23:03):
They can go both ways , yeah.
Speaker 1 (23:05):
With everything we discussed today.
Cost is always going to play afactor in all of this.
Yes, and so, from Genworth, thenational average for home care
is going to cost around $33 perhour.
Now, the thing about home careis currently, as of now,
personal insurance is notcovering home care, right?
(23:26):
There are some MedicareAdvantage plans out there that
are picking it up, but they giveyou a certain amount of hours
per week that they will cover,right.
So currently, the only methodsof payment right now that is
going to pay for no medical homecare is going to be out of
pocket costs.
There are long term careinsurance policies, like with
the Genworth or MedLife orsomething like that that you've
(23:55):
been paying on over time thatwill reimburse you back for any
monies that you spend onnon-medical home care.
And then, lastly, it's going tobe the Veterans Administration.
So if you're a veteran, you canget home care absolutely for
free.
You are to talk to your doctorat the VA and they will be able
to get you connected to aprogram that they have that
allows a caregiver to come intoyour home for a certain amount
of hours per week as well andassist you with those activities
of daily living.
Speaker 2 (24:15):
Doctor or social worker case manager.
Case manager.
Speaker 1 (24:19):
Yeah, you can talk to any of them at the VA.
Yes, I know there are some newthings coming out for the VA so
we're super excited about that.
So, as that progress, we'll besure to definitely let you know
about some of the new thingsthat's coming up from the VA,
dealing with, like you know,their TRICARE insurance.
But if you're a spouse of aveteran, you can get monthly
funds to help you pay fornon-medical home care or any
(24:42):
care that's needed, fromassisted living to nursing home,
whatever that might be, andthat's through the aid and
attendance program at the localVA.
So the same thing you wouldtalk to them and say, hey, I
need some assistance withgetting aid and attendance and
they'll be able to kind of helpwalk you through that process.
But you can get funds to helppay for your spouse of a veteran
.
Speaker 2 (25:03):
Private pay is really the big thing that people pay
for home care, and I just wantyou to know yes, it's cost, the
cost is going to go up oneverything the cost of living
and everything is going to go up, but having your loved one at
home safe is priceless, okay,right?
So make sure, as you do yourresearch on the agencies, as you
(25:26):
try to see, hey, what type ofcare mom need, as you try to see
, hey, what type of care momneed, just know the value of
their life at this point isgreater than the cost of the
care.
Speaker 1 (25:40):
Right, absolutely, yeah, yeah, absolutely, I think,
and to touch on that too,especially if this is what they
desire.
Speaker 2 (25:50):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (25:50):
If they desire to be at home.
You know especially like foryou, like if you desire to stay
at home as you get older and I'mtaking care of you, I'm going
to try everything in my power tomake sure that happens.
And I understand costs, Iunderstand all of those things,
but I'm going to try my verybest to make sure that you get
what you want.
Speaker 2 (26:09):
Now.
Let's go back on that.
Now, I know you'll take care ofme as a parent.
Let's go back to healthliteracy when we talked about
you want to set your child up oryour family up to say, hey,
when this time comes, this stuffis in place, right to take care
of me right.
This stuff is in place, rightto take care of me right.
(26:29):
Because, again, my daughters,my son, they'll have families.
My son has a family.
This beautiful young lady,she'll have a family one day,
right, and dealing with her popsor her mom around the clock can
be hard for her and I don'twant that to be all on her plate
(26:57):
, right?
So it's important that I, rightnow, start setting it up for
her, to make it easier for her,just in case, god forbid, I'm
not in the right state of mindto take care of myself or to
articulate what the needs I want.
I need to do that right now soit can help my loved one, my
daughter.
Take care of me at that time.
Speaker 1 (27:10):
Right and say, for instance, too, with that you're
looking at your mom and she's 90years old and she can't do
anything right now to help.
It doesn't stop there.
Because you now know thesethings, you now have these
resources, you now have thisinformation to go back and
change the outcome and thetrajectory of your life, for
your kids and your kids' lives,you can be that change Again.
(27:33):
It's a cycle that kind of keepshappening, when if my dad
didn't know something, now it'swhat it's him.
I didn't get taught it becausehe didn't know what to teach it,
but now you know it.
So now you know it, you can goand teach it to your loved ones
and then you can put a plan inplace for yourself to better
help your children in the futurewhen it comes time, when you're
90 and you need that assistance.
Speaker 2 (27:52):
Yeah.
So with the cost?
Yes, cost is going to go up,but the way to pay for home care
is you have long-term careinsurance, private pay that's
out of pocket, and or the VA.
If you're a veteran, you canget this help free.
Speaker 1 (28:06):
Absolutely so.
We have discussed a lot today,but we want to make sure that
you have some key takeaways whenyou finish this episode today.
So number one, non-medical homecare, focuses on assistance
with daily living activitiesrather than medical treatment.
It's often provided by trainedcaregivers rather than licensed
health care professionals.
The second thing we want you totake away is that the benefits
(28:29):
of non-medical home care isenhanced quality of life,
independence, safety at home,provides emotional and
psychological support for familycaregivers, and it also reduces
family caregiver burnout.
And the third thing we want youto know is that early
implementation of non-medicalhome care is crucial to making
sure that your loved one'squality of life and autonomy
(28:50):
remains and that, hopefully,having a caregiver present can
prevent minor issues fromescalating into major health
problems.
Now, to gather all of what wetalked about today, please click
the link in our bio taking youover to our podcast website to
be able to download everythingwe discussed today, transcribed
just for you under thetranscript tab.
If you've enjoyed what you'veheard today and would like to
(29:12):
hear more, please subscribe andfollow us on YouTube, at the
Journey Out, and on our podcastwebsite.
You can support the Journey Outpodcast with a monthly donation
of your choosing, helping us tocontinue to provide these
episodes every week, as well asfollow us on all podcast
platforms.
And with that, that's a wrap ontoday's episode of the Journey
Out.
We pray that the thingsdiscussed today have been a
(29:32):
helping hand for you and theones you hold close, positively
bringing you out of one seasonto the next, starting your
Exodus journey.
Speaker 2 (29:39):
And I hope this information was valuable and
that you use this information tobecome a resource to your
family and your community.
Speaker 1 (29:46):
Yes, bye, you guys.
Hello everyone and welcome to the Journey Out
podcast, where we were designedto be the helping hand for
everyday people who are on theirExodus journey.
My name is Bree and I am one ofyour hosts.
Speaker 2 (00:10):
And I'm Antoine.
Speaker 1 (00:11):
And we are here today to kind of celebrate November.
November is a month filled withimportant national holidays, in
particular, national Home CareMonth, national Family
Caregivers Month and NationalAlzheimer's Disease Awareness
Month Month.
National Family CaregiversMonth and National Alzheimer's
Disease Awareness Month.
Today we want to talk abouthome care, discussing the
importance of home care and whatit actually looks like having a
(00:33):
caregiver come into your home.
So let's jump in.
What is home care.
How do I navigate health care?
Speaker 2 (00:36):
What do I do when I feel down and depressed?
Speaker 1 (00:42):
I'm stressed Am I enough?
What can I do?
What is this going to cost?
All right, so what isnon-medical home care?
So non-medical home care refersto supportive services provided
in a client's home to assistwith daily activities that are
not medical in nature healthcare professionals like nurses
or doctors, who are providingtreatment for illnesses or
(01:05):
injuries, includingadministering medications,
monitoring health conditions andconducting medical procedures.
Now for non-medical care thatfocuses on assistance with daily
living activities rather thanmedical treatment.
It's often provided by trainedcaregivers rather than licensed
health care professionals.
So can you talk to me a littlebit about some of the examples
(01:25):
of non-medical home care?
Speaker 2 (01:27):
So non-medical home care has caregivers that come
into the home right and assistwith ADLs those ADLs which is
activity of daily living or mealpreparation, bathing, grooming,
lighthouse keeping,transportation to and from
doctor's appointments or foractivities and also
(01:48):
companionship services.
Speaker 1 (01:50):
Right, right.
And with those services theyare there as support.
Again, the goal is to maintainindependence.
So those caregivers are thereto assist in those activities
and make sure that they're onedoing it safely, but also that
they have support for thoseactivities.
Speaker 2 (02:07):
And the caregivers are also there to be the eyes
and ears for the family.
Speaker 1 (02:10):
Right, absolutely.
Speaker 2 (02:11):
Like you say, fall risks and things like that can
happen.
So the caregivers are there togive the family an update on how
their load was doing as well.
Speaker 1 (02:19):
Absolutely.
I'm sure everybody's like whyis non-medical home care
important?
Well, there are a few reasonswhy non-medical home care is
important, the first one beingenhanced quality of life.
So it's important to understandthat when clients want to stay
in their home and we know that70 million plus Americans have
already decided hey, I'm goingto age in place, I'm going to
(02:40):
stay at home, I'm going toreceive all of my care at home,
I don't want to leave my home.
So, in place, I'm going to stayat home, I'm going to receive
all of my care at home, I don'twant to leave my home.
So, if they're saying that andthey want to stay in their home,
we're here to provide enhancedquality of life.
So we have caregivers who aregoing to engage them in daily
activities, maybe hobbies.
There's going to be some socialinteractions there and they
really contribute to helpingfulfill their life, making sure
(03:03):
that they're doing, you know,everything that they need on a
day-to-day basis.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
And that could be also like helping them with
exercises, right?
Right, that can also be hey,let's have a movie, let's go to
the movies, take them to themovies, take them to the park.
Right, just doing things tomake their life be more
fulfilled, right, not only justkeeping them at home, but being
active in their community aswell.
Right, only just keeping themat home, but being active in
their community as well.
Speaker 1 (03:23):
Right, and then I would say the second reason why
it's super important is itpromotes independence.
Yes, a lot of there's stigmaaround having a caregiver come
in and help.
One of the main things that wehear is well, I don't need a
caregiver because you know momand dad is going to lose all of
their independence, or I'm notgoing to be able to cook my
(03:45):
meals on my own or do thosethings, and that's totally not
what home care is.
Speaker 2 (03:48):
Well, home care and having a caregiver in the home,
like I say, it's the eyes andears for the family, right, but
it's to help them keep theirindependence, right.
So assisting them with maybeputting their clothes on right.
Doing their meals for them.
It's not to take away theirindependence, it's just to help
them in things that they needassistance with, right Right, so
they can be in their homelonger.
Speaker 1 (04:10):
Right.
Speaker 2 (04:10):
Because if that caregiver is not there and
should say your loved one have ahistory of falls, that
caregiver is there to helpprevent those falls.
Speaker 1 (04:18):
Right.
Speaker 2 (04:18):
So if a fall of care and the caregiver is not in the
home, then guess what?
Speaker 1 (04:29):
That take away more independence from your loved one
than having a caregiver there.
Right and we're going to talkabout this more about you know
about what home care reallytruly looks like, but when a
caregiver is coming into thehome, it's important that we
assess what they actually needassistance with, right?
If, if home care is to you know, maintain autonomy, maintain
that client's autonomy, thenthat means if they're
(04:50):
comfortable with preparing theirmeals, they can still do all
that.
Really, the issue a son ordaughter has been seeing is mom
cannot maintain her medicationsin this pill jar she's taking a
bunch of pills at differenttimes.
She can't seem to do that.
Well then, that's where thecaregiver is going to come in
and help.
Medication reminders,Medication reminders.
The caregiver is going to comein and make sure.
Okay, let's make sure she takesthe right medication at this
(05:11):
time.
Let's make sure this pillcontainer is filled like it's
supposed to according to thatmedication list, and then she
can make her own meals.
We won't even add that to thecare plan.
We can just watch her make sureshe does that safely, supervise
that, but help where the needis.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
So you added the care plan into this.
So tell them a little bit moreabout the care plan and what you
were saying about.
Hey, we won't help assist withmeals, but we want to make sure
she take her medication.
Speaker 1 (05:36):
Right.
So when you have, typically itcould be an agency, it could be
a personal caregiver.
We'll just talk from agencystandpoint, since we we have an
agency.
We know about the agency'spoint of view.
When you have an agency comingin to assist your loved one with
activities that they are living, what they should be doing is
coming in and providing you witha care plan, a plan where you,
(05:58):
you and the agency, discuss whatis needed for your loved one.
You and the agency discuss whatis needed for your loved one.
If your loved one is cognitiveenough to be able to assist in
that conversation, please havetheir input in that conversation
, because we want to make surethat we're giving them what they
desire when they're in thathome.
(06:19):
So a care plan looks likethings from personal care to
housekeeping, to transportation,whether it's medication,
reminders, different things.
At that point, on that careplan you're discussing, can mom
handle personal care on her own?
Can she handle housekeeping onher own?
Can she handle oral hygiene onher own?
Speaker 2 (06:38):
Or do she need assistance?
Speaker 1 (06:39):
with those.
Speaker 2 (06:40):
Also with that personal care plan.
What we also like to look intois what were their hobbies?
What did they like to do?
You know what I'm saying?
Do they like to go into thegarden and plant flowers or
water?
Their flowers or something likethat.
Do they like to look atpictures?
Do they like to watch FamilyFeud?
Right, you know what I'm sayingDo they like to watch old
Western movies?
Speaker 1 (07:07):
We want to know about your family as much as possible
right, so we can make sure thatthey get in the proper care
that they deserve Exactly.
And so that leads us to thethird reason why home care is
important companionship, I meanthat's a critical role.
Social interaction is acritical role for caregivers,
and it's also something that alot of clients and their
families lack, which is thatsocial interaction.
And typically, if they live inthe home by themselves, where
(07:31):
are they going to get theinteraction from?
So usual, like the hobbies wetalked about going to the senior
center, or maybe they like togo play golf with their friends,
or wherever that might be.
Well, what happens when theydraw back from doing those
things?
Speaker 2 (07:46):
Social isolation.
They still want that right, butmaybe it comes in a different
form and that caregiver being inthat home can provide that
probably not at the level thatthey were at, but at the level
that they are now.
Speaker 1 (07:59):
Right, absolutely, I think the one that sums it up.
That just sums up theimportance of why having no
medical home care is importantis reducing caregiver burnout.
Speaker 2 (08:12):
Oh yes.
Speaker 1 (08:13):
I think one many families have that challenge
providing care on an emotionaland physical level, but also
still dealing with their ownfamilies having a career exactly
, and still trying to be therefor everybody.
It's just super important thatyou're able to take breaks,
(08:36):
recharge and then tend to yourown needs as well.
I have some statistics that Ikind of want to go over a little
bit.
It says 70% of familycaregivers report feelings of
depression, family caregiversare 20% more likely to have high
blood pressure, 50% more likelyto suffer daily physical pain,
(08:57):
30% say they do not have regularcompanionship, 25% of older
adults feel isolated and one in7 caregivers have heart disease
and or stroke.
Speaker 2 (09:08):
And you're talking about the caregiver that's
taking care of their familymember.
Speaker 1 (09:12):
Exactly.
Speaker 2 (09:13):
Right, so that son or daughter that's taking care of
their mother or their father orspouse or grandchild.
So that is a heartbreakingstatistics that you just went
over there, but that just showsthe need of home care.
Speaker 1 (09:28):
Right.
Speaker 2 (09:29):
That shows the need that, hey, that family member
need respite.
Right, they need some time totheir self to recharge and get
back to their family, right, whythey love their love and why
they have no problem with takingcare of their mother or their
father.
Right, it still take a toll onthem, right, you know,
especially with dealing.
(09:49):
Okay, just so you say, hey, theperson that raised me.
Speaker 1 (09:54):
Right.
Speaker 2 (09:55):
Is no longer and the person that I depended on is not
the person that they are today,right Back then, right, does
that make sense?
So the mother that I knew orthe father that I knew has
changed dramatically to wherethey depended on me, right, you
know.
And so in taking care of yourlove and I know you have no
problem in doing that but it'simportant to recognize that it
(10:18):
does take a toll, knowingly orunknowingly.
Speaker 1 (10:21):
Right.
Speaker 2 (10:21):
And with those statistics, man, that's wild
Only or unknowingly Right.
And with those, statistics.
Speaker 1 (10:24):
Man, that's wild, I mean, and we don't think about
it like that.
You know, another statisticthat was not talked about was
that family caregivers provide20 plus hours a week of care.
So say, for instance, me I'mtaking care of you, right?
And so not only Are you readyto take care of me now, I am
ready to take care of you, youknow we've been doing this, I am
ready to take care you knowwe've been doing this.
Speaker 2 (10:45):
We've been doing this for a while.
Our ducks are in a row, Okay.
Speaker 1 (10:48):
Okay, so if I'm taking care of you right, I'm
going.
Okay, so what will my care planbe?
Oh, you know what.
So how I envision you in thefuture.
Okay, I know we signed track,but go ahead.
Speaker 2 (11:01):
No, this is fine.
Okay, I know we signed Trey,but go ahead.
Speaker 1 (11:03):
No, this is fine.
Okay, how I envision you in thefuture.
So one thing about my fatherhere y'all, oh Lord, he does not
play when it comes to likegrooming.
He wants to be clean, he wantsto be fresh.
I see showers not beingdifficult for him in the future.
I see him wanting to do that.
So we will make sure we'reassisting there with showers,
(11:26):
definitely helping get himdressed.
I think he might need a littleassistance there, but making
sure it matches.
You know he's creased up.
You know he looks good fromhead to toe Jordan's shoes.
You know we be, you know we betight, right, he loves to eat,
so meal preparation woulddefinitely be a part of his care
plan, and it can't be anythinghealthy.
Speaker 2 (11:47):
Ok, because he's going to throw that away.
Speaker 1 (11:49):
He's not going to eat that, so something that he's
used to you know, am I inalignment?
Speaker 2 (11:54):
OK, you, you, you, you, you there.
Ok, I get it Cool, all right,so now I'm taking care of you
and I know all those thingsRight.
Speaker 1 (12:02):
I'm providing 20 plus hour care for you, according to
the statistics, each week, butI also work a 40 hour work week.
I have a husband and I havekids that when I come home they
are depending on me too, yes,but also you're depending on me.
And my mom is like Brie.
I need some assistance with dad.
You know he's not X, y and Z.
So when you put all of thattogether, you know we're looking
(12:27):
at what a lot of people callstress.
Yes, and you're being pulled atevery angle, and so having
somebody comes in relieves thatstress from you.
You can focus on husband andkids, have a caregiver come in
and provide the support for yourloved one, and then you can
still oversee that support.
(12:47):
You can still be there for momand dad.
You can still come in and checkon mom and dad, but there's
someone to help you do the heavylifting.
Speaker 2 (12:53):
How many hours?
You say they doing 20 hours.
About 20 hours per week, youcan get 20 hours back of your
life.
That's Monday through Friday.
If you divide it four hours outof a day Monday through Friday
you know 20 hours out of a weekthat your loved one is getting
taken care of, right, and thatgives you 20 hours to
concentrate on your family,right, and so that's caregiver
(13:17):
burnout is real, and having acaregiver come to your home is a
big way to stop and help thatout Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (13:24):
I know a big question probably is now All right, home
care is important.
I understand that.
When should I start lookinginto non-medical home care?
What is the telltale sign, thebig red flag that indicates I
need that?
Speaker 2 (13:39):
Well, some people think when mom or dad cannot do
nothing for themselves, rightwhen they're bed bound, that's
too late.
You want to kind of stop itbefore it gets to that point
Absolutely, absolutely.
So maybe you probably noticedmom and dad forgetting their
keys a lot.
Maybe you probably noticed, hey, adam came to visit mom or dad
(14:01):
and the oven is still on andthey sitting there watching TV.
Maybe mom or dad has driven tothe store over the years the
same route countless of timesbut you're getting phone calls
that, hey, they don't know wherethey're at or they forgot how
to get to the store or somethinglike that.
Also, maybe if a fall occurredor something like that all these
(14:26):
are telltale signs and there'smore of them that, hey, maybe we
should get somebody in here toassist with my little one.
Speaker 1 (14:32):
Right, and then again kind of what we were talking
about earlier.
It doesn't have to be.
They need assistance witheverything in order to start
home care, because that's justnot the case.
Another tell-tale sign could besocial isolation.
Yes, if they decide like hey,they're always going to the
church on Wednesday nights andSundays, and they're always
doing this, they're veryinvolved in their church and
(14:54):
then all of a sudden they stop,and then now they're not going.
Speaker 2 (14:58):
One wins to go by mom .
Speaker 1 (14:59):
Did you go to?
Speaker 2 (15:00):
church.
No, I'm not going next.
Speaker 1 (15:02):
Wednesday.
Speaker 2 (15:02):
Yeah, now you start seeing that pattern.
What's going on?
Speaker 1 (15:06):
There's something happening there, so now it's a
sit down.
Ok, mom, dad, what's going onwith this?
I noticed you haven't gone tochurch.
Well, we don't want to just letthat fester because, again,
like you were talking about,early prevention is important.
You don't want that to fester.
What you want to do is go aheadand see the problem which, hey,
they're not they living at homeby themselves, they're not
doing doing anything or gettingback out into their community.
(15:27):
I don't want them to feelisolated, I don't want them to
feel depressed.
Speaker 2 (15:30):
Maybe I should get someone to come in and to assist
with companionship, talking,engaging them in some activities
, maybe getting them to go backto the church by using the
transportation service andtaking them to the church, being
with them for a little bit andcoming back home, and you also,
if you have that gut feelingthat something is wrong, right,
(15:51):
I think that's when hey, justtake the example of missing
church.
Okay, hey, let me go to churchwith you this Wednesday.
Let me go to church with youthis Sunday, so you can see
what's going on.
Hey, I'll be there an hour tooearly.
We're going to get dressed atyour house so you can kind of
see the vibe for lack of betterwords that's going on in the
house with your lover.
Speaker 1 (16:10):
Right, and where you mentioned you mentioned falls
right.
Yes, one thing that's superimportant and I want families to
hear me and hear me closelysons, daughters hear me closely.
It only takes one time, onetime on two different stances,
(16:33):
one time to fall and it beserious.
But also, it should only takeone time for them to fall and
you see trouble right.
It should take one fall to belike, hey, you fail, and I know
that's kind of out of the norm,but I don't want you to do that
again.
Let me get somebody in here tohelp and make sure that you stay
safe, because when someonefalls, the likelihood another
(16:55):
statistic, and I'm hitting themwith you, this episode.
Speaker 2 (16:59):
Yeah, go ahead.
Speaker 1 (17:00):
You are likely to fall again in the next six
months.
But guess what?
We cannot determine how fatalthat fall will be.
We don't know if it's a brokenhip, we don't know if they'll be
just fine.
Maybe it's just a little bumpon the head or whatever it may
be.
But we'd rather not get to thatpoint.
We'd rather say hey, mom anddad just fell.
Let me get a couple hours inhere with the caregiver just so
(17:22):
they can monitor them around thetime that they fell, during the
activity that they were doingwhen they fell.
Speaker 2 (17:27):
So that way we can try to minimize this or prevent
something greater from forhappening in the future, because
once you fall, you will Godforbid, but you're going to fall
again.
Speaker 1 (17:38):
Falls occur, so now you're a fall risk, a fall risk
right, and falls are one of theleading causes of death among
older adults, and so we cannot.
We don't want them to be a partof that statistic.
We want to stop it before itbecomes an issue, and so just
early prevention is super key tomake sure that we are
(17:59):
monitoring their health andprevent further decline in their
health.
Speaker 2 (18:03):
So when you go through these signs, or you see
something, or you're worriedabout something, or your gut
gives you that feeling, or afall occur, or you something is
not right around the house withmom or dad, that's the time
where you need to take a setaside some time to say, hey, let
me spend some time with them,let me try to be more there
present present to see what'sgoing on, so you can see for
(18:26):
yourself and you can learn thosetelltale signs and you can say,
hey, this is when I need toseek home care.
Speaker 1 (18:32):
Yeah, and again, remember, home care does not
have to be all encompassing atthe total care right off the bat
.
No, you pick a little thing.
Hey, mom just needs help withthis, can you just help me with
this?
And then progress from there.
Right, how does home care work?
So I mentioned earlier thefirst thing.
If you're hiring an agency tocome into the home and to
(18:54):
provide that level of support,the first thing they're going to
do is set up what we call aconsultation.
They're going to set up thatconsultation.
Some are free, some are.
There's like a little deposityou have to put down for it,
just depending on the agency.
But they're going to come andthey're going to do a
consultation with you.
At that point they should befiguring out your loved one's
medical history.
(19:14):
They should be doing what wecall a care plan, figuring out
what needs they actually needhelp with.
So they should be assessing ifit's physical support that's
needed, maybe it's justemotional support that's needed,
maybe it's just social supportthat's needed, or maybe it's all
three.
And you know they will tailoror provide a custom plan,
(19:34):
personalized care plan, for yourloved one.
Once that's completed, the nextstep is getting the caregiver in
there.
Now, when you're dealing withthe agency and I suggest this
for all families who are lookinginto non-medical home care
please say, hey, this is goingto be an intimate thing bringing
a caregiver into the home.
(19:55):
Can we meet that caregiverfirst?
What is the caregiver'sbackground?
Those different things?
It's okay to ask that and, toyou know, talk with your agency
about those questions.
Research your agency Researchyour agency.
Ask those different questions.
Make sure your agency islicensed throughout the state of
Texas to provide their services.
Make sure they are checkingreferences and background checks
(20:17):
and all the different thingsthat's needed to make sure that
the person coming into your homeis capable of doing so and you
know they're safe.
But ask hey, can we meet thatcaregiver and see if it's a good
match, a good fit?
Now, just being honest, thecaregiver has to learn your
loved one and vice versa.
Your loved one has to learn thecaregiver.
(20:38):
So it will take some time aweek or so for them to kind of
mesh, get a routine down thatfits well for them.
But what you're assessing ispersonality to personality.
Does that match?
Are they kind of one?
Do they like the same things?
If, even if they don't like thesame things, can she or he
relate to what my loved onelikes?
(20:58):
Um, are they, if they?
Your loved one likes gardening.
Do you know anything aboutgardening?
Speaker 2 (21:03):
he probably won't know anything about gardening,
but he's willing to learn and bethere with your loved one in
the time to help them with that.
Speaker 1 (21:11):
Exactly so that.
So that's kind of what that,what that consultation looks
like.
Also getting a good, good timeframe, the days and the time
that you want a caregiver tocome out, and kind of moving
from there on the routine thatusually the caregiver and your
loved one will kind of come upwith as they go day to day.
Like, hey, I don't really wantto wake up that early, so let's
(21:33):
wake up around this time, getbreakfast started around this
time and they can kind of comeup with their routine.
Speaker 2 (21:37):
So you have the care plan and then, as the caregiver
comes in, they go on by theircare plan, but they also get to
know your loved one and theydevelop in a routine, right?
So maybe you probably say, hey,I think mom or dad should get
up a little earlier.
Okay, they usually get up atnine, but you want them to get
up at eight?
Okay, as that caregiver get toknow your loved one, that will
(21:58):
be implemented.
So your wishes are met and ifit's best for your loved one to
do so, we will make sure that'sdone.
Speaker 1 (22:05):
Right, Right and so, and then from there, after the
caregiver is in place.
You know you've been throughall the things that need to be
done Ever so often.
The agency should be comingback in to do regular updates
and regular checks.
So, because the care plan isnot going to stay the same,
Right, no matter what we think,you know, your mom is not going
to be the same mom six monthsfrom now, especially if they're
(22:25):
dealing with a diagnosis that isprogressive Alzheimer's
dementia, something like that.
They're not going to be thesame person.
So, being able to have regularupdates and checking, adjusting
that care plan as needed,because on day one she probably
didn't need to use the walker,but on day 60, she is super
unsteady on her feet and thewalker is best to prevent falls,
(22:46):
and so that's kind of whatyou're monitoring.
The caregiver should bemonitoring that.
Speaker 2 (22:50):
The agency should be aware of everything that's going
on inside the home as well, andalso in some cases, hey, she
needs to use the walker when wefirst started, but hey, he or
she is getting better to wherethey don't need the walker.
Speaker 1 (23:03):
They can go both ways .
Speaker 2 (23:03):
They can go both ways , yeah.
Speaker 1 (23:05):
With everything we discussed today.
Cost is always going to play afactor in all of this.
Yes, and so, from Genworth, thenational average for home care
is going to cost around $33 perhour.
Now, the thing about home careis currently, as of now,
personal insurance is notcovering home care, right?
(23:26):
There are some MedicareAdvantage plans out there that
are picking it up, but they giveyou a certain amount of hours
per week that they will cover,right.
So currently, the only methodsof payment right now that is
going to pay for no medical homecare is going to be out of
pocket costs.
There are long term careinsurance policies, like with
the Genworth or MedLife orsomething like that that you've
(23:55):
been paying on over time thatwill reimburse you back for any
monies that you spend onnon-medical home care.
And then, lastly, it's going tobe the Veterans Administration.
So if you're a veteran, you canget home care absolutely for
free.
You are to talk to your doctorat the VA and they will be able
to get you connected to aprogram that they have that
allows a caregiver to come intoyour home for a certain amount
of hours per week as well andassist you with those activities
of daily living.
Speaker 2 (24:15):
Doctor or social worker case manager.
Case manager.
Speaker 1 (24:19):
Yeah, you can talk to any of them at the VA.
Yes, I know there are some newthings coming out for the VA so
we're super excited about that.
So, as that progress, we'll besure to definitely let you know
about some of the new thingsthat's coming up from the VA,
dealing with, like you know,their TRICARE insurance.
But if you're a spouse of aveteran, you can get monthly
funds to help you pay fornon-medical home care or any
(24:42):
care that's needed, fromassisted living to nursing home,
whatever that might be, andthat's through the aid and
attendance program at the localVA.
So the same thing you wouldtalk to them and say, hey, I
need some assistance withgetting aid and attendance and
they'll be able to kind of helpwalk you through that process.
But you can get funds to helppay for your spouse of a veteran
.
Speaker 2 (25:03):
Private pay is really the big thing that people pay
for home care, and I just wantyou to know yes, it's cost, the
cost is going to go up oneverything the cost of living
and everything is going to go up, but having your loved one at
home safe is priceless, okay,right?
So make sure, as you do yourresearch on the agencies, as you
(25:26):
try to see, hey, what type ofcare mom need, as you try to see
, hey, what type of care momneed, just know the value of
their life at this point isgreater than the cost of the
care.
Speaker 1 (25:40):
Right, absolutely, yeah, yeah, absolutely, I think,
and to touch on that too,especially if this is what they
desire.
Speaker 2 (25:50):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (25:50):
If they desire to be at home.
You know especially like foryou, like if you desire to stay
at home as you get older and I'mtaking care of you, I'm going
to try everything in my power tomake sure that happens.
And I understand costs, Iunderstand all of those things,
but I'm going to try my verybest to make sure that you get
what you want.
Speaker 2 (26:09):
Now.
Let's go back on that.
Now, I know you'll take care ofme as a parent.
Let's go back to healthliteracy when we talked about
you want to set your child up oryour family up to say, hey,
when this time comes, this stuffis in place, right to take care
of me right.
This stuff is in place, rightto take care of me right.
(26:29):
Because, again, my daughters,my son, they'll have families.
My son has a family.
This beautiful young lady,she'll have a family one day,
right, and dealing with her popsor her mom around the clock can
be hard for her and I don'twant that to be all on her plate
(26:57):
, right?
So it's important that I, rightnow, start setting it up for
her, to make it easier for her,just in case, god forbid, I'm
not in the right state of mindto take care of myself or to
articulate what the needs I want.
I need to do that right now soit can help my loved one, my
daughter.
Take care of me at that time.
Speaker 1 (27:10):
Right and say, for instance, too, with that you're
looking at your mom and she's 90years old and she can't do
anything right now to help.
It doesn't stop there.
Because you now know thesethings, you now have these
resources, you now have thisinformation to go back and
change the outcome and thetrajectory of your life, for
your kids and your kids' lives,you can be that change Again.
(27:33):
It's a cycle that kind of keepshappening, when if my dad
didn't know something, now it'swhat it's him.
I didn't get taught it becausehe didn't know what to teach it,
but now you know it.
So now you know it, you can goand teach it to your loved ones
and then you can put a plan inplace for yourself to better
help your children in the futurewhen it comes time, when you're
90 and you need that assistance.
Speaker 2 (27:52):
Yeah.
So with the cost?
Yes, cost is going to go up,but the way to pay for home care
is you have long-term careinsurance, private pay that's
out of pocket, and or the VA.
If you're a veteran, you canget this help free.
Speaker 1 (28:06):
Absolutely so.
We have discussed a lot today,but we want to make sure that
you have some key takeaways whenyou finish this episode today.
So number one, non-medical homecare, focuses on assistance
with daily living activitiesrather than medical treatment.
It's often provided by trainedcaregivers rather than licensed
health care professionals.
The second thing we want you totake away is that the benefits
(28:29):
of non-medical home care isenhanced quality of life,
independence, safety at home,provides emotional and
psychological support for familycaregivers, and it also reduces
family caregiver burnout.
And the third thing we want youto know is that early
implementation of non-medicalhome care is crucial to making
sure that your loved one'squality of life and autonomy
(28:50):
remains and that, hopefully,having a caregiver present can
prevent minor issues fromescalating into major health
problems.
Now, to gather all of what wetalked about today, please click
the link in our bio taking youover to our podcast website to
be able to download everythingwe discussed today, transcribed
just for you under thetranscript tab.
If you've enjoyed what you'veheard today and would like to
(29:12):
hear more, please subscribe andfollow us on YouTube, at the
Journey Out, and on our podcastwebsite.
You can support the Journey Outpodcast with a monthly donation
of your choosing, helping us tocontinue to provide these
episodes every week, as well asfollow us on all podcast
platforms.
And with that, that's a wrap ontoday's episode of the Journey
Out.
We pray that the thingsdiscussed today have been a
(29:32):
helping hand for you and theones you hold close, positively
bringing you out of one seasonto the next, starting your
Exodus journey.
Speaker 2 (29:39):
And I hope this information was valuable and
that you use this information tobecome a resource to your
family and your community.
Speaker 1 (29:46):
Yes, bye, you guys.
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