All About Home Care

A nursing home lawyer District Heights MD provides may help your family collect damages from a long term health care facility in which your loved one was abused or neglected. Fighting for justice on behalf of injury victims is what the attorneys of Cohen and Cohen, P.C. have done for 20 years. In doing so, our legal team has collected millions of dollars. If your loved one has suffered while in the care of a nursing home, call us to schedule a free consultation.

Though a nursing home lawyer District Heights MD offers may be able to provide legal assistance to those injured, you may have concerns about placing your elder in a facility. However, if you have been caring for a senior on your own, you may find that it can be overwhelming and exhausting at times. This is often true for many family members taking care of loved ones suffering from Alzheimer’s, or whose elder needs a high level of assistance on a daily basis. If you’re interested in learning more about home care options, the following information may be helpful to you.

What exactly is home care?

Home care is needed in different scenarios, when it is helpful for a trained home care aide to provide services for an older adult family member. Usually, services are limited to a certain amount of days, weeks, or in some cases, months. Medicare and Medicaid may be available to cover some or all costs of home care, though restrictions apply. Very often, the cost must be covered by paying out of pocket.These are common reasons why a home care aide may be needed:

• A senior is recovering from an illness or surgery
• A senior needs added assistance in the home
• A family member who has been caring for the elder can no longer provide care
• An elder suffers abuse in a nursing home, and a replacement facility may not be immediately available. In that case, a nursing home lawyer District Heights MD locals recommend might suggest temporary home care.

What services do home care aides provide?

This will vary by home care aide services, and by the ability of the individual aide. A nursing home lawyer District Heights MD families trust may suggest that you get a detailed service price list in writing. Usually they provide the following on either an hourly or around the clock basis:

• Comfort and support
• Preparation and serving of meals
• Laundry services
• Medication assistance
• Transportation to/from medical and other appointments, shopping, etc.
• Bathing and dressing assistance
• Bill paying
• Setting appointments such as visits to the doctor’s, etc.

Who is qualified to be a home care aide?

This will vary by state and by each home care service’s requirements. To help prevent the need to hire a nursing home lawyer District Heights MD residents turn to after a loved one is abused, research the care service beforehand. When choosing a company that provides home care aides, you may wish to do the following:

• Perform an Internet search to check reviews and ratings. If a District Heights MD nursing home lawyer pursued litigation against them because of professional misconduct, this information may be online.
• Ask for recommendations from trusted family, friends, and co-workers

Is there more than one option for home care?
Yes. Home care is available in different forms based on your family’s needs. Also known as home health care or in-home personal care, a home care aide may be a friend, family member, a community volunteer or an employee of a service company. It may take place at home, at an adult day care center, or in a residential facility. A nursing home lawyer in District Heights MD may emphasize the importance of carefully reviewing your options before making a decision.

What are adult day care centers?

An adult day care center is a safe place for your loved one who may suffer from Alzheimer’s. As a respite option for an elder, an adult day care center will usually offer planned programs with a focus on art or music. Meals as well as transportation to and from the center are typically provided.

What are residential facilities?

This may be a respite option for anywhere from one night to as long as a few weeks. Overnight respite care gives family members the opportunity to take a much needed vacation while their loved one is in a safe environment. The cost for a temporary stay in a residential facility varies based on many factors.

The Benefits of Respite Care for Caregivers

There are many benefits to respite care for those tasked with caring for their elders.

• The opportunity to take a break and recharge emotionally and physically
• It provides time to take care of one’s own needs including exercise, running errands, attending personal and medical appointments, etc.
• The knowledge and assurance that your loved one is in capable and safe care

The Benefits of Respite Care for Your Loved One

Just as respite care can be beneficial for the family member, it offers advantages to the elder as well including:

• The opportunity to meet new people in new circumstances
• A supportive and safe environment, which a nursing home lawyer District Heights MD would recommend
• Participation in programs or activities that are a good fit for his or her needs

Has your loved one suffered a personal injury while in a nursing home?

The attorneys of Cohen and Cohen, P.C. can discuss your case at no cost to you during the initial consultation. Because our lawyers work on a contingency basis, you will not have to pay any legal fees if we do not win a settlement or verdict. Call the law firm of Cohen and Cohen, P.C. at (301) 637-8381 to consult a nursing home lawyer District Heights MD turns to when a loved one is injured.