Idaho Home Care: How to pay for, Laws and Regulations and Questions to ask…
Idaho is one of the safest states the country. Residents feel comfortable raising families and aging in Idaho. Another reason people live in Idaho is the affordable cost of living. The state is home to over 300,000 senior citizens and it is likely that some will require care at some point. With the passage of time, challenges of aging may cause living at home to become increasingly difficult. Typically, senior citizens prefer to age in place as long as possible, rather than move into a senior living community. People typically think of a retirement home or a nursing home when the time comes for seniors to retire or can no longer manage all day to day tasks. There are other options besides nursing homes. Idaho Home Care (or In home Care) is designed specifically for aging adults who only require some basic assistance at home.
Idaho has several cities where aging adults may receive high quality healthcare: Boise, Idaho Falls, Twin Falls, Nampa, Meridian, and many more.
Home Care is also called In Home Care in Idaho
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 (or In home Care) is suited for seniors who may only require some basic assistance at home. Care plans can be customized for each individual. The home aides may support with activities of daily living (ADLs), which include medication reminders, assistance with bathing and eating.
Home care and aging in place
Home care does not include medical care. In home care services include assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs). These in-home aides may assist with personal care and monitoring like they would receive in a long-term care community. All while they remain in the comfort of their own home.
How do you know it may be time for Home Care?
What are the signs to look for?
Have you noticed your loved one is spending less and less time managing their hygiene or personal appearance. They may stop brushing their teeth or let their facial hair grow in an unkempt fashion when they didn’t before. Are they going longer periods of time in the same clothing, or neglecting relatively scheduled eating habits? Grooming and hygiene live under the umbrella of ADLs, and as such a Personal Care Assistant may help with these tasks.
Is your loved one forgetting things more frequently? Typically, people forget things sometimes, but if you notice they are forgetting simple tasks they normally perform regularly, this may be a a sign that assistance is necessary.
It is not uncommon for elderly adults to experience trouble walking, getting up from a seated position or need help getting in and out of bed. Signs like this can be dangerous. The risk of a fall increases as mobility declines. The aide of a home care caregiver may assist with moving around the house safely.
Did you notice your loved one’s home is in disarray? Have they usually shown signs of tidiness or regular cleanliness, and now the home is disheveled and dirty. In Home Aides may assist in normal household maintenance like dusting and sweeping, cleaning the kitchen or doing laundry.
What Assistance do In-Home Care Aides Provide?
Home Care Aides provide a variety of services and assistance to help people maintain daily activity. Depending on the individuals condition, elderly adults may require different types of care, and in home care is there to assist residents with non-medical care.
Services included in home care:
The services offered in home care will vary state by state. Assistance with ADLs is the primary care offered in home care. Often times, people think of nursing homes or retirement homes as the only places for senior care. As we’ve discussed earlier, there are multiple care options. And even within home care, there are levels of care suited for an individuals needs.
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.
Laws and Regulations
Licensing
In home care providers are not required to be licensed in Idaho. However, there are mandated training standards put forward by the Division of Medicaid, Bureau of Long-term Care.
Services
Care providers may perform a variety of non-medical services. Providers may read prescription labels and pick up medications for residents. They may not administer medications.
Staffing
Staff must pass a background check, and all agencies must require staff to have the know-how and skills to perform all duties safely and responsibly.
Grievances
Any suspected abuse should be reported to Adult Protective Services or the Area Agency on Aging.
How much does home care cost in Idaho?
The cost of home care in Idaho is slightly above the national average for the same services. The good news is Idaho is among the least expensive states in the region for home care services.
- National average cost of home care per month: $5,000
- Idaho: $5,450
- Oregon: $6,010
- Washington: $6,575
- Montana: $5,350
- Wyoming: $5,250
The cost of home care within the state will vary as well, while typically still hovering just above the national average.
- Boise: $5,700
- Pocatello: $5,350
- Idaho Falls: $5,725
- Twin Falls: $4,775
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?
Resources and Links – Idaho
Idaho Commission on Aging General information about state-wide aging services and programs for Idahoans 60 years of age and older, Area Agencies on Aging and long-term care services.
SHIBA A service of the Idaho Department of Insurance – is Idaho’s provider for the federal network of State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs). The program is partially funded by and operated under the authority of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Community Living (ACL).
Idaho Legal Aid Services We are a non-profit law firm that provides free civil legal assistance to eligible low-income people throughout the state.
Area Agency on Aging of North Central Idaho Community Action Partnership’s Aging and Disability Resource Center/ Area Agency on Aging (ADRC/AAA) has been officially designated by the Idaho Commission on Aging (ICOA) as the ADRC/AAA for Clearwater, Idaho, Latah, Lewis and Nez Perce Counties. Our hope is to realize Aging in abundance by eliminating economic poverty, poverty of meaning, and poverty of relationship.
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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