Finding the right care for your loved one is vital for their health. When considering any care option, it’s important to consider all the factors to decide which care is best. This is especially true for private duty care. Although it might not be for everyone, it can have a significant benefit for families and their loved ones. At Gallagher Home Care, private duty care is one of the many care options that we provide. Our free, at-home evaluation can help determine if private duty care is right for your loved one.
As for now, here are some factors to consider when thinking about private duty care.
Medical and Mobility Needs
Private duty nursing is care that occurs in the patient’s home. It is tailored to the medical needs of the patient and evolves over time as their medical needs change. Private duty care covers a wide range of skilled services that are provided by a registered nurse. This means that there is no need to have to travel to a hospital or doctor’s office to receive their specific care. This benefits patients who have mobility issues. Also, if they have more extensive health needs, such as ventilator care, private duty nursing can meet those needs.
Budget and Out-of-Pocket Costs
When evaluating costs between different types of care options, private duty care is typically more expensive, since caregivers have a wide range of skills to meet many patients' needs. Time plays a factor in cost as well, since the amount of money increases as the time spent with the patient increases. This also applies to the duration of the care being provided. Private duty care is typically paid out-of-pocket and is not covered by insurance. It is not covered by Medicare because it is not considered intermittent care, which is normally covered.
Availability of Family Caregivers
Caring for a loved one isn’t always easy, especially when trying to adapt your own schedule to meet their needs. It’s not always possible to be there all the time, and trying to coordinate with other family members can turn out to be more stressful than helpful. With private duty nursing, there is a significant amount of flexibility with the caregiver. The care schedule is created by the patients and their families based on the patient's own medical needs. They can even receive care on weekends and overnight if needed.
Preferences for Independence and Control
Even though they need care, some seniors may be hesitant to receive it because they are worried about losing their independence. With private duty care, the patient continues to live in their own home. Caregivers focus on what the patient can do and not what they can't, which helps maintain a sense of independence. There is also independence within a patient’s care plan. Patients and families are able to make choices as to how the patient is being cared for. It is not something that is automatically decided for them.
Emotional and Mental Health Factors
Private duty care can help provide families with peace of mind because they know their loved one is being cared for by someone who has an advanced skillset. Private duty care can also ease the stress of caring for a loved one, since the caregiver is there when the patient needs them and there are no scheduling conflicts. The patient is able to have peace of mind staying in their own home instead of having to live at a senior care facility. Also, for patients who live alone, private duty care can help reduce the feeling of loneliness. They now have someone who is coming to see them more frequently, engaging in conversation with them, and helping them feel connected.
Schedule an Appointment
Pursuing private duty care isn’t for everyone, but patients receiving it can benefit from it. Are you curious to see if it meets your needs? Schedule an appointment for a free, at-home evaluation with Gallagher Home Care today.
