Senior Care

Cost of home care: Average out of pocket costs in 2022

Many people prefer to live at home as they age, for as long as they can. Aging in place is a term defined by the CDC as the ability for one to live in their own home safely and independently, regardless of age or income. Home is truly where the heart is, and for many, it brings a level of comfort that an assisted living community just can’t. However, aging often requires more attention and care when it comes to a person’s health. That's where in-home care comes in.

In-home care is an option for seniors who require assistance in their homes as they age in place. This care is delivered by trained aides who help individuals with ADLs (activities of daily living), IADLS (instrumental activities of daily living), and more day-to-day management of their lives and well-being. As great as the idea sounds to have a home health aide, the costs can be incredibly high. Keep reading to discover the true cost of in-home care and how to determine what the out-of-pocket costs may be.

Types of services provided by home healthcare aides

There are several types of in-home care services. These services—or some of them, depending on your specific needs—will be provided if you decide this is the right choice for yourself or a loved one.

Examples include:

• Personal hygiene and care assistance for bathing, dressing, grooming, and brushing teeth
• Assistant with using the bathroom
• Meal prep and grocery shopping
• Light housekeeping, such as laundry, dishes, dusting, cleaning
• Running errands and helping with around-the-house tasks
• Meal preparation and serving/feeding
• Providing transportation
• Medication management and administration
• Home safety modifications and management
• Monitor vitals and record a client's condition each day
• Offer companionship and socialization

There are other services that home health aides may provide as well. Oftentimes, familial caregivers can also manage many of these tasks. However, it can become quite a burden or inaccessible if they live in different areas. So hiring a home health assistant often becomes the best choice.

The cost of home care today

By 2030, the number of people aged 65 and older will reach 71 million. Many of these older adults will require personal care services, such as assisted living communities and skilled nursing care in the home. And this number won't be slowing down anytime soon; the need for in-home care will only grow from here, both via demand and cost.

That leads us to our next point. Assisted living facilities and home health care services are both expensive, and deciding between in-home care vs. care in a facility can prove challenging. We hope that this cost breakdown will help you determine which is best for your needs.

A few fast facts about the cost of in-home care:

• The majority of home care agencies charge by the hour vs. monthly contracts.

• Location, level of care, and licensing requirements can all drastically affect the cost of in-home care.

• The demand for in-home care is surging, and the cost rose nearly 3.80% from 2004 to 2020.

• Currently, for full-time (40 hr/week) in-home care for seniors, the median monthly cost is almost $4,500.

According to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey 2004-2020, the current annual cost for a private room in a nursing home is $105,000+. Assisted living facilities, home health aides, and home care homemakers are nearly half the cost sitting around $50,000 to $55,000 annually. That's a drastic jump, thus why in-home care becomes a very viable option for many who would choose to age in place over uprooting to a nursing home.

How much will in-home care cost in the future?

In-home healthcare costs can change drastically depending on several factors—location is one of the greatest. For example, Washington state is one of the most expensive states at $31.16/hr, but Louisiana is one of the lowest at $17/hr. The Cost of Care Survey takes a deeper dive into the hourly, monthly, weekly, and monthly rates of in-home care for the next 50 years.

The current median hourly rate for a Home Health Aide in the U.S. stands at around $24/hr. This number will grow dramatically over the next few decades (at 3% inflation) as such:

2030 — $32.25/hr

2040 — $43.35/hr

2050 — $58.25/hr

2060 — $78.29/hr

2070 — $105.21/hr

As you can see, in 50 years, when many young college grads will be reaching the age of needing long-term care, they can expect to pay nearly $100 an hour for an in-home care aide. However, we know advancements in technology and healthcare continue to make it easier and more realistic to live longer and healthier lives.

For continued support, while aging in place, reach out to Ōmcare. Our Home Health Hubs make it easier than ever to manage medications at home and prolong or replace the need for an in-home aide. Our easy-to-use system can make medication administration fast, easy, and safe while allowing for remote telehealth visits and connecting with loved ones. Reach out today for more information.

by Ōmcare

Healthcare worker shortage forces creativity to deliver care more efficiently

There is currently a massive shortage of healthcare workers across the nation, at all levels of care. However, the extremes are hitting facilities, like nursing homes and assisted living facilities, which rely on lower or non-credentialed health care workers to assist nurses and doctors day-to-day.

Some lower credentialed positions struggling to stay staffed include medical assistants, home health aides, and pharmacy technicians. The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) conducted a survey in June 2021 that showed some astounding statistics about the state of the nation’s pharmacies.

Currently, four in five pharmacies are struggling to staff enough workers to handle patients, deliver prescriptions, and simply manage the cash registers. There are many reasons for this including people leaving positions (during the pandemic) where they are exposed to more people or finding work elsewhere for more pay, but also the growing aging population is heavily affecting the need for healthcare workers.

What is driving the healthcare worker shortage?

The baby boomer population makes up nearly a quarter of the entire population of the United States. This population is now reaching the age where they have higher healthcare needs, and it’s not slowing down any time soon.

The United Nations put together a document on world population aging, and there are some pretty astounding statistics regarding growth and trends.

• By 2050, people 60 and older will make up 25% of America's population.
• The global population of people 80 and older is projected to triple between 2017 and 2050.
• The U.S. birthrate dropped by 4% in 2020, and it's expected by 2030, older persons will vastly outnumber children ages ten and under.

As these older generations continue to grow, the need for healthcare does as well. And with many people leaving the healthcare industry and not being replaced with incoming workers, the shortage continues.

How can the industry combat these shortages?

One of the biggest issues with these lower-credentialed jobs is low wages (not to mention the competition from other industries right now). Based on labor statistics data in the state of Minnesota, a personal care attendant (PCA) is one of the most in-demand jobs, but the median annual wage is $28,562 per year.

The government is doing what it can to help with the healthcare worker shortage, but that does not seem to be enough. A recent proposal from Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is urging the healthcare industry to increase wages for home care workers. Unfortunately, the care service clients with PCAs receive are funded by Minnesota’s Medicaid program. This means the rate the state will pay for services is completely dictated (and capped) by the state Legislature—these low rates barely cover the cost of care. So how will they ever be able to pay home health aides more?

Another way the industry is combating this huge shortage is by hiring people with more experience working in the healthcare field, but for lower-level positions. A new market has popped up for those who have been retired from their career of being a nurse, doctor, or medical assistant and want to get back into the workforce as an on-call position that will work within certain hours they can accommodate.

That trend may become one of the more popular ways to fill the gap in lower-level healthcare workers, but it's not an ideal situation due to higher costs and unnecessary credentials. There are other ways to fill these gaps in the health care workforce and help alleviate the worker shortage.

One way is to introduce technology and other automation to ensure at-home care is never sacrificed due to staffing shortages, for example, technology services like Doctor On Demand. Doctor on Demand allows patients to quickly and easily get standard checkups and prescription refill appointments over video chat, from the comfort of their homes.

How Ōmcare helps

Ōmcare is a hardware and software solution that helps alleviate the need for in-home nurses, especially for older individuals who need consistent medication management. After installing a Ōmcare Home Health Hub in a patient’s home, an uncredentialed worker can make calls, cheaply and efficiently, multiple times a day to walk a patient through medication management.

The Ōmcare Home Health Hub allows for health workers to scale their time, instead of running from home to home, while still providing high-touch and seamless care. If you’re interested in integrating a Home Health Hub into your patients' homes and alleviating the burden on your care staff and HR hiring team, contact us today for more information.

by Ōmcare

Senior health: 11 tips for aging well

There are many ways that you can strive towards staying healthy and active as you age. A combination of diet, exercise, and mental wellness can help us age gracefully and maintain our independence for longer. These health tips can help you or your aging loved ones to feel better, longer.

Tips for aging well in 2021.

As you get older, your minds and bodies change, and it becomes more critical than ever to take care of yourself. Here are some tips for successful senior health management and ensuring a long, happy, healthy life.

Maintain a healthy diet

While it may be harder to maintain a good diet for older adults, senior health experts agree that a good diet is one of the most important factors in health outcomes. Everyone needs food A high in vitamins and protein for strong bones and muscles, which means eating plenty of lean protein sources (chicken, turkey, and fish especially), fresh produce, whole grains like brown rice or quinoa, beans, or other legumes. Studies show a healthier diet for older adults can improve cognitive function and disease control.

Taking supplements

As you age, there are critical nutrients the body becomes depleted of. Be especially cognizant of your levels of each nutrient below and talk to your doctor about supplementing if necessary.

• Vitamin D is essential for boosting the immune system.
• Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps improve the overall function of our bodies by boosting vitamin absorption, wound healing, and aids in vision and organ function.
• Calcium is essential for bone and teeth health.
• Vitamin A is good for heart, lung, and liver health.
• B Vitamins must be replaced as you age because our bodies become less efficient at absorbing B vitamins from the foods we eat. B12 deficiency can negatively affect brain function and only increases our chances of memory loss, high blood pressure, and nerve pain.

Get regular exercise

Specific exercises and specialized training may be better than others, depending on your health or any chronic pain. For example:

For those who experience joint pain, walking or swimming at low-impact levels can still help strengthen muscles without putting too much pressure on the joints. Even just daily walks around the block can make a big difference in senior wellness. Aerobic activities like dancing or yoga have been shown to improve mood, which also helps fight chronic illness symptoms like depression and anxiety. If mobility is an issue, tai chi classes where movements are done slowly with concentration can be easier on the body while being both meditative and strengthening.

Focus on mental wellness

Mental health in the elderly can be a big issue that often gets left behind. Mental health is severely affected by the loss of loved ones, feelings of isolation, and the physical and mental changes that come with aging. Talking about it in therapy, or with loved ones, or even acknowledging feelings of anxiety and depression can be the right step towards mental wellness.

Hobbies for keeping busy

Staying busy can help alleviate feelings of loneliness and boredom, especially for older patients living in a senior healthcare facility. Some hobbies good for seniors include arts and crafts, painting, playing card games, or even gardening on the property. Doing things they once enjoyed may not always be an option for them, so finding fun hobbies to pass the time can be a crucial component to maintaining overall wellness in seniors.

Caring for skin and teeth

Dermatologists always say the best skincare in your 50s is proper skincare in your 20s. Unfortunately, we can't turn back the clock on our skin but can always do things to maintain it and keep it healthy. The number one thing seniors should do to protect their skin is to wear sunscreen every day. Skin cancer is prevalent in older adults, especially those who did not wear sunscreen consistently throughout their lives.

And as you age, you lose a lot of collagen, making the skin thinner and more susceptible to wounds and sun exposure. Teeth can also decline in health, and many seniors end up opting for dentures for ease. However, eating healthy, brushing regularly, and taking the proper vitamins can slow down the deterioration of skin, nails, and teeth.

Getting better sleep

Older adults often experience sleeping problems. This could be because of medications affecting sleep quality or health conditions like arthritis pain or acid reflux that can keep them up at night. If you're having trouble falling asleep at night, talk to your doctor about calming methods and supplements that may work for you.

Hydration!

Drinking enough water is essential for human life. Drinking water helps hydrate your skin, organs and improve bladder and digestive health. The elderly are very prone to dehydration, so ensuring they get at least 64 ounces of water every day (the eight glasses of 8 oz. water rule) can help prevent ailments and boost overall health.

Staying social

The psychosocial changes of growing old can be detrimental to someone's health. Many older adults may find it hard to maintain friendships or go to the social events they once did before they dealt with chronic illness or pain. However, socializing is a normal part of life, and without it, one can feel more lonely and depressed, which can actually lead to more medical problems. Therefore, caregivers and elderly care facilities need to make sure they keep a full calendar of social events that everyone can enjoy together each week—from bingo to dances to playing cards.

Routine medical care and tests

Regular health maintenance and prevention are vital to better health outcomes. There are some routine tests and treatments that can significantly improve the health of older individuals by ensuring their care plan is appropriate and catching any issues early before they become worse.

• Get vaccinated for influenza, pneumonia, and shingles (if applicable)
• Regular cancer screenings (breast, colon, prostate)
• Bone density scans for osteoporosis
• Blood pressure readings
• Check blood sugar levels to check for diabetes
• Lipid screening
• Check for high cholesterol and other blood tests
• Annual physicals

Additional safety measures

Elderly patients may face balance problems that require advance care planning to ensure they don't fall and injure themselves. Using a walker, wheelchair, and installing handrails in rooms or hallways can ensure they always stay safe while moving about.

By following these tips, you can go on to live a long, healthy life and address health concerns before they become chronic health conditions. Here at Omcare, we believe a healthy lifestyle is possible no matter what age, and you can enjoy living longer by focusing on better health outcomes and wellness early on.

by Ōmcare

Staying connected and caring during a health crisis

Information surfaces hourly about the newly classified pandemic COVID-19, and the headlines can be alarming.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises that people over 80 years of age with major illnesses have the greatest risk and should take extra precautions, such as staying in their place of residence and limiting the amount of exposure to other people, including family members and caregivers. Meanwhile, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has issued guidelines for restricting access to residents in skilled nursing facilities.

If you’re caring for an aging loved one who is either living independently or in nursing home, these guidelines can raise concerns about feelings of loneliness and isolation, as well as adherence with medication or other care plans for your loved one. Technology can play a significant role in keeping family members, patients, and care providers connected while decreasing the risk of exposure to COVID-19 or influenza – which is still a primary cause of illness, complications, and death for seniors.

3 ways technology can enable care, from anywhere during a health crisis

1. Stay socially connected. Healthy adults can do their part to mitigate loneliness for the older population by introducing them to technology such as FaceTime or Skype. Take a few minutes to install the app on an iPad, tablet or smartphone, provide a bit of training, and encourage family members to connect with seniors online, in theevent that in-person visits are prohibited.
2. Manage medications. A consistent care routine is the foundation of a successful, long-term care plan and is especially important when visits from a caregiver are limited. Use two-way video capabilities to remind loved ones of when to take their medications and to oversee that process. If needed, you can even dial in a clinical care provider for a three-way call.
3. Conduct virtual visits. Nearly half of family caregivers travel to care for someone. If you’re worried about exposing your loved ones to COVID-19 or influenza, lean on systems like Google Nest and Amazon’s Alexa to ensure that all systems are “go” for seniors who live alone at home.

While the current situation is frightening and confusing for everyone, now is the time to use technology to unite health care providers and caregivers, and to foster communication and support that is essential to keeping everyone healthy. Our team at Ōmcare is committed to applying our expertise in video communications and remote care technology to change the way the world cares. We welcome the opportunity to share information with you about the Ōmcare Home Health Hub^TM and how it will enable caregivers of all types to provide support, care, and medication assistance from anywhere for older adults and people with chronic conditions.

In good health,

Lisa Lavin

Founder & CEO, Ōmcare

by Ōmcare