Provo Utah Home Care: Common Terms, How to pay for Home Care, Licensing and Questions to ask
Provo is the principal city in the Provo-Orem metropolitan area which is Utah’s second-largest metropolitan area after Salt Lake City. These features and more have led to Provo becoming a preferred location for senior citizens to retire and seek care.
Utah is known for its natural beauty and national parks. Sightseers from all over the country come to experience the majestic nature Utah offers. The cost of housing and the cost of living is lower than the national average. Utah is a beautiful location for those considering senior care.
- Provo Utah Home Care: Common Terms, How to pay for Home Care, Licensing and Questions to ask
- About In-Home Care in Provo
- Considerations when looking for care in Provo
- Cities Near Provo
- Pricing and How to Pay for In-Home Care
- Local Hospitals and Healthcare Providers
- Local Resources and Links
- What are the different Home care options?
- How to pay for Home Care
- Questions and inquiries about home care
- 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 In-Home Care in Provo
Seniors prefer to age in place as long as possible, rather than move into a senior living community. Challenges of aging may cause living at home to become increasingly difficult. Home care caregivers assist in activities of daily living (ADLs). These in-home aides may assist with personal care and monitoring, just like they would receive in a long-term care community. All while they remain in the comfort of their own home. The focus of home care is to keep people healthy and safe. This is non-medical care, but the caregivers can work with the individual to craft a plan to fit their needs.
The Health Facility Licensing, Certification and Resident Assessment, a part of the Division of Health and Human Services regulates all healthcare providers and facilities in the state of Utah. Policies and procedures regarding home care vary state to state.
Considerations when looking for care in Provo
Provo has a population of 115,162 and lies between the cities of Orem to the North and Springville to the South. There are a few home care providers to choose from in Provo. Here, the summers are hot, dry, and mostly clear and the winters are freezing, snowy, and partly cloudy
Home Care Communities near Provo, Utah
Twilight Health, Llc
Payson, Utah 84651
Legacy Home Health, Llc
American Fork, Utah 84003
Homefront Personal Care
Pleasant Grove, Utah 84062
Caring Hands Utah
Orem, Utah 84097
Cities Near Provo
- Orem – 6 miles north
- Cedar Hills – 17 miles north
- Springville – 6 miles south
- Payson – 15 miles south
Pricing and How to Pay for In-Home Care
40 hours a week of home care in Utah is $5,625 / month. This is more expensive than the national average of $4,960. Costs may vary depending on what region within the state.
Home care in Salt lake City averages $5,100 / month. Provo is higher than the state average at $5,800 per month. The lower end of in-home care in Utah is in the lower northeast corner of the state, Logan, where home are averages $$4,995 / 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
Utah Valley Hospital
1034 N 500 W, Provo, UT 84604
Utah Valley Specialty Hospital
306 W River Bend Ln, Provo, UT 84604
Local Resources and Links
Ability First Utah Non profit organiation that provides support services to individuals of all ages and types of disabilities. Individuals must have a physical, mental, cognitive or sensory disabilities to qualify for services. 5 core services are provided free of charge, Peer support, Independent Living Life Skills Training, Individual and system change advocacy and Nursing Home & youth transition services. Other services we provide are Equipment Loan Bank and Assistive Technology evaluation services and transportation to and from program services and to transportation to and from vital community resources.
Utah Department of Human Services, Division of Aging & Adult Services Utah Aging & Adult Services. Helps older Utah residents to be as independent as possible for as long as possible through advocacy, development and delivery of policies, programs and services which support and empower the elderly and their families.
Salt Lake County Aging & Adult Services We provide services in compliance with the Older Americans Act which includes, NCW, AW, TAP (a State funded program for adults 18-59, Medicaid eligible), MOW, Rides for Wellness, FGP/SCP, Senior employment, RSVP, SHIP/SMP, Ombudsman, Elder Abuse, Legal Service referral. Our mission is: Promoting independence through advocacy, engagement and access to resources.
Adult Protective Services APS is a social services program that serves older adults and adults with disabilities who are in need of assistance. APS workers investigate cases of abuse, neglect or exploitation, working closely with a wide variety of allied professionals such as physicians, nurses, paramedics, firefighters and law enforcement officers.
Eldercare Locator This is a great resource to search for specific care in specific counties and cities. This database 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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