Home Health Care

To say most of us would rather stay in our homes when the need for long-term care arises, is an understatement! Fortunately, most long-term care insurance policies today provide home health care coverage. Staying at home is less expensive than a nursing home, although, you may have to pay the average $24,700 a year, out of pocket, if you do not have long-term care insurance. In which, these cost can increase significantly if you require around the clock care. (1)

Home Care Services are household services provided by someone other than yourself when you are unable to do them. Services include, but are not limited to, nursing, personal care, homemaker or chore services, shopping, planning menus, preparing meals, home delivered meals, laundry, and light house cleaning and maintenance. Home delivered meals, also known as meals-on-wheels, provides meals to those unable to prepare their own food.

A home health care provider is a business providing either the services mentioned above, or Hospice services. The following requirements apply to both:

1. Has an agreement as a provider of home health care services or Hospice Services under the Medicare program; or
   
   
2. Is licensed or accredited by state law as a home health care agency or hospice, if such licensing or accreditation is required by the state in which the care is received; or

3. Is a licensed therapist, a registered nurse (R.N.), a licensed practical nurse (L.P.N.), or a licensed vocational nurse (L.V.N.) operating within the scope of his or her license.

To see the average cost of care in 2009, in your area please visit The MetLife Market Survey on Nursing Home, Assisted Living, Adult Day Care Services and Home Care Costs.