7 Popular Myths About Home Care For Elders

Many elders need home care after a major sickness, surgery, stay in hospital or after disabling ailments like arthritis or rheumatism strike them; while some avail of such help as god sent, some worry about letting a stranger inside their houses. Here are some popular myths about homecare for elders by caregivers.

Here are 7 popular myths and reality about home care for elders:

Myth 1: Only really old people need home care.

Reality: It is true that many who utilize home health care are 65 years and above, but they can also be utilized by younger people when they are recovering from an injury or dealing with a chronic ailment.

Myth 2: Nurses and home care workers don't care about their patients.

Reality: Not necessarily; most nurses, therapists and home care workers establish a rapport with the elder to make them feel at ease, understand their hesitations and make the experience as comfortable as possible. Most good home health care agency analyze the elder’s need before placing a caregiver who is well prepared and suited to meet the elder’s particular needs. In case of dissatisfaction you could contact the agency immediately, request another home care worker or even look for another agency.

Myth 3: Home care workers steal from elderly and/or abuse them.

Reality: This may be true of unskilled, independent caregivers or sitters that are not hired through a home health care agency. Ask the company if they conduct criminal background checks on all employees before hiring; also ensure the company is licensed and bonded. It is best to ask an agency how it trains the home health care workers and whether the employees are certified. Also ensure that the agency provides a supervisor to evaluate the quality of home care on a regular basis.

Myth 4: Home care is only for people who are very sick.

Reality: It’s true that home care is needed by those that are sick or during post operative care like post-operative rehabilitation, wound care, mobility training, pain management or IV therapy or injections. But home care can also be for non-medical reasons like extra help and attention around the house like eating, dressing, bathing, housework, driving and shopping.

Myth 5: Quality of home care provided at home is inferior compared to other facilities.

Reality: Not necessarily, home care staff of good agencies receives extensive training before they ever enter a person's home. It is common to find many well versed in advanced medical treatments such as intravenous therapy and ventilator care. You could ascertain this by asking them a lot of questions like whether the agency train caregivers, what the training entails and if they are well versed in elderly health conditions and certified in CPR. 

Myth 6: Home care is affordable only by wealthy people. 

Reality: Not necessarily; home care has turned affordable for many families with new programs like reverse mortgages, VA benefits, long-term care insurance, and access to state and local programs such as Medicaid. 

Myth 7: My parent only needs help with basic hygiene, so we don't qualify for homecare.

Reality: Besides basic needs home care providers could assist you in a full range of homecare, from basic peer-level companionship and hygiene assistance to highly skilled nursing and therapy.

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