Dallas Texas Home Care: Common Terms, How to pay for Home Care, Licensing and Questions to ask
Dallas, a modern metropolis in north Texas, is a commercial and cultural hub of the region. Dallas is known for being the home base of the Dallas Cowboys, its delectable southern cuisines, major global companies, and its vibrant art and music scene. The city has many interesting attractions to explore such as Reunion Tower, Dealey Plaza, The Sixth Floor Museum, and the Dallas Zoo. In the Arts District, the Dallas Museum of Art and the Crow Collection of Asian Art cover thousands of years of art. The sleek Nasher Sculpture Center showcases contemporary sculpture. An excellent place to live, Dallas is considered one of the best places to live in Texas and is popular among families looking to relocate to the lone star state. Considered one of the safest big cities in America, Dallas takes pride in its well-maintained streets and sought-after neighborhoods.
- Dallas Texas Home Care: Common Terms, How to pay for Home Care, Licensing and Questions to ask
- About Home Care in Dallas
- Considerations when looking for care in Dallas
- Cities Near Dallas
- Pricing and How to Pay for In-Home Care
- Local Hospitals and Healthcare Providers
- What are the different Home care options?
- How to pay for Home Care
- Questions and inquiries about home care
- Resources and Links- Texas
- Search other areas for Home Care
What are the different Home care options?
The various care services and options
Personal Care Assistant
- Companionship as well as assistance with activities of daily living, (non-medical personal care) toileting, dressing, grooming, and bathing.
- They can help with grocery shopping and meal preparation.
- A personal care assistant can help with family difficulties. If a family caregiver must leave town or be away from the home overnight the caretaker can stay with the individual and monitor and assist as needed.
- If a spouse is too heavy, a personal assistant can be a great asset in helping the individual move without risk of injury.
- These care assistants cannot perform any medical care.
Companion Care
- These companions spend time with older adults. Providing companionship is especially relevant for people who live alone, or do not leave the house due to cognitive impairments or frailty.
- These companions are there to look after the person, keep a watchful eye, act as an extension of the person to help with mobility and general physic functions.
- They may drive the person to appointments, prepare light meals and snacks. They may even play games or read and listen to music together.
- Companion care is a great way to bring social interaction and assistance to a person who may otherwise spend long periods of time alone.
About Home Care in Dallas
Home Care is often also called In home Care, the two terms tend to be universal. In-Home Care is suited for seniors who may only require some basic assistance at home. The home aides may support with activities of daily living (ADLs), which include medication reminders, assistance with bathing and eating. Care plans can be customized for each individual, however, in Texas home care agencies are not required to create care plans for clients. Home Care may be an excellent care option for family members if they must leave town or just need a break from caring for their loved one. The Home Care aides bring a sense of personalization, providing companionship and socialization, and a sense of connection.
Home care agencies are licensed and regulated by the Texas Department of Health and Human Services. They monitor to ensure all clients receive safe and proper care. There are no laws in place requiring home care agencies to conduct criminal background checks upon employment of new staff. However, management must undergo background checks. The agencies who participate in Medicare are required to only employ home health aides who have finished certain training criteria (75 hours of training, which includes 16 hours of classroom training and practical training)
Considerations when looking for care in Dallas
The hottest season in Dallas is from June to September. The peak month of heat is August, with an average high of 95°F and low of 76°F. The cool season is from November to February, with January being the coldest at an average low of 39°F and high of 57°F.
There is bound to be a care agency for you or your loved one in Dallas, a city with 1.288 million people and over 200 providers.
Home Care Communities near Dallas, Texas
Cuidado Casero Home Health & Hospice
Southlake, Texas 76092
Cuddle Me Home Care
Dallas, Texas 75238
Csd Home Care, Inc
Dallas, Texas 752476913
Crystal Care Home Health Services Inc
Mesquite, Texas 75150
Crest Healthcare Services Inc
Garland, Texas 75040
Cornerstone Home Health Services Inc
Carrollton, Texas 75006
Cordial Care Home Health Services, Inc
Dallas, Texas 75238
Complete Home Healthcare, Llc
Desoto, Texas 75115
Compassionate Care
Dallas, Texas 75248
Companion Care For Seniors
Irving, Texas 75063
Cities Near Dallas
- Fort Worth – 32 miles west of Dallas
- Garland – 19 miles east of Dallas
- Plano – 23 miles north of Dallas
- Irving – 12 miles west of Dallas
Pricing and How to Pay for In-Home Care
The cost of in-home care in Texas is less than the national average. A month of home care in Texas is $4,600 and the national average is nearly $5,000. Because of the size of Texas, the cost of home care will vary between cities within the state. In Dallas the average price is $4,875 / month.
How to pay for Home Care
Private Funds- YES:
- Many families pay for care with private funds.
- Private pay can be a combination of retirement funds, personal savings, and pension payments.
- Family members may contribute funds toward a loved one’s care.
Medicare – NO:
- Medicare does NOT pay for Assisted Living.
- People 65 years and older and individuals with end stage renal disease are eligible for Medicare benefits, no matter their income.
- Coverage is meant for people in need of short-term care.
Medicaid- MAYBE
Medicaid MAY cover home care for seniors who are eligible. Each state has its own Medicaid programs in place. As a result, eligibility and services fluctuate state to state. Funding may also be offered under the Home and Community Based Services Medicaid Waivers.
In-home personal care services (dressing, bathing, eating, etc.) are not federally mandated, and some states do not even regulate these agencies.
Long-term care insurance- MAYBE:
- The purpose of long-term care insurance is to cover senior care, which includes home care. Though, be aware that coverage varies depending on the insurance provider, the specific policy, and other factors.
- It is common that long-term care insurance will only start to cover care when the person with the policy requires assistance with two or more ADLs.
- As a result of the above, individuals who only need companion care may not be covered by their long-term care insurance.
- Typically, purchasing long-term care insurance is not an option if you are at the point where you already need care.
Veteran Aid and Assistance – MAYBE:
This benefit is available to some military veterans and surviving spouses who live in an assisted living community and those who have in-home care.
- There are specific guidelines, but a veteran may qualify for as much as $2,050 each month.
- A veteran with a sick spouse may be eligible for $1,600 per month.
- If a veteran has passed, their surviving spouse can qualify for $1,300 per month.
Private Pay
- Many families pay for care with private funds.
- Family members may contribute funds toward the care of a loved one.
- Private pay may be a combination of personal savings, retirement funds, or pension payments.
Questions and inquiries about home care
Agency Information
- Is the agency RN operated?
- Is the agency a franchise or locally owned and operated?
- Is the agency licensed by WA State Department of Health?
- Is the agency licensed for both home care and home health?
- Does the agency have liability insurance?
- Can the agency respond to you 24/7?
Caregiver Information
- Are employees licensed, bonded & insured? Or are they independent contractors?
- Does the agency test skills, conduct behavioral interviews and verify caregiver credentials?
- Are caregivers required to have current certifications for First Aid, CPR, and TB?
- Are caregivers provided continuing education/training?
- Can authorized individuals monitor care and make requests online in real time?
- Does the agency offer caregiver replacement when the “fit” may not be right?
Documentation and Supervision
- Does an RN/MSW/Care Manager conduct a free home care assessment?
- Does an RN/MSW/Care Manager create a home care plan?
- Does an RN/MSW/Care Manager supervise the caregivers?
- Do caregivers receive client orientation before arriving at a client’s home?
Policies and Cost
- Can services be cancelled with a 4-hour notification?
- Does the agency offer flexible scheduling, custom care plans, and a continuum of care?
- Does the agency have weekly or monthly minimums?
- What is the hourly minimum per shift?
- Does the agency offer home care discounts?
- What is the required deposit?
- Will the agency accept long-term care insurance?
Local Hospitals and Healthcare Providers
Kindred Hospital Dallas Central
8050 Meadow Rd, Dallas, TX 75231
Medical City Dallas Hospital
7777 Forest Ln, Dallas, TX 75230
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center
2727 Lemmon Ave, Dallas, TX 75204
Resources and Links- Texas
Elder Abuse Prevention focuses on the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of adults who are elderly or have disabilities and who live in the community. Any adult who has a disability or who is age 65 or older that is in a state of abuse, neglect, or exploitation may be eligible to receive adult protective services.
Health Information, Counseling and Advocacy Program This program offers counseling and assistance on a variety of topics including: Medicare, Medicaid, Medicare Supplemental Insurance- long term care financing options and other health insurance options.
Care Connection Aging and Disability Center connects people with services that help them maintain or improve their quality of life. Whether you are looking for information for yourself, a family member, a patient, or a friend, we will help you identify the right services for your needs.
Eldercare Locator is a nationwide resource that connects older Americans and their caregivers with trustworthy local support resources. Connect with services such as meals, home care or transportation, or a caregiver education or respite from caregiving responsibilities. The Eldercare Locator is a public service of the Administration on Aging (AoA), an agency of the U.S. Administration for Community Living.
Medicare provides a search feature to find & compare providers near you, most senior housing and care providers are included on CareAvailability.com. Find & compare plans in your area. Determine if you qualify for premium savings
Medicaid offers information on how to apply for Medicaid, eligibility criteria, links to local state offices, and additional resources.
The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Whether you are living with Alzheimer’s or caring for someone with the disease, information and resources are available.
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