Understanding In-Home Care in Maryland

Are you looking for information on home care in Maryland, you’ve come to the right place! This blog post will give an overview of what we do and how we can help.

There are many different facets of home care in Maryland. For example, if your mom has a chronic illness, she may need assistance with medication management or other tasks that would be difficult for her to complete on her own. If your dad needs help after he had surgery or just got out of rehab from a stroke, he might want someone to cook his meals and clean up around the house so he can focus on recovering. In either case, our caregivers have experience meeting these specific needs and more!

So whether it’s helping your loved one with daily tasks like showering, meal preparation, or medication reminders; providing companionship and socialization; or working with your loved one who has an emotional support animal, we can help!

Just as there are many different types of home care in Maryland that families need, there are also many different reasons behind the requests. For example, maybe your grandmother doesn’t want to start transitioning into a nursing home, so she would prefer someone come by once a week to check-in and help with things around the house. Or maybe your daughter is going back to school and you’d like someone to stop by daily for a couple of hours so you can continue working while still having a little extra support at home.

Do you have any questions about what home care services are available or if they would be a good fit for your loved one?  Below are some of our most frequently asked questions.

What does an in-home care agency do?

Many people are confused about what an in-home care agency does. We are here to help you understand the basics of your local senior care providers, and provide a little more insight into all we do.

There are a lot of different services provided by in-home care agencies, and we could write a book on all the wonderful things we do! So, let’s just focus on a few.

First off, many seniors prefer to age in place. In the comfort of their own home as opposed to an assisted living or nursing facility as they are able to remain in their own surroundings with friends and family coming to visit. So, our providers come to your loved one’s home regularly to provide the care they need so that their needs are met while still having some independence. This might include cooking meals, cleaning, doing laundry, grocery shopping, running errands, personal hygiene tasks like bathing or shaving, or anything else that your loved one might be struggling with. We can even help make doctor appointments or run any other errands that are needed!  These are called Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (I-ADLS).

Secondly, many seniors need assistance if they’re recovering from an illness like a hip fracture or surgery. Home care agencies provide post-rehabilitation care to meet the needs of our clients as they recover and heal.

For many seniors, it isn’t always easy to ask for the help they need; especially because it can be embarrassing or shameful if their loved ones know they can no longer take care of themselves. This is where our caregivers come in! Our providers are like family members that your parents, grandparents, or children can trust to assist them with the care they need.

There are many reasons why seniors might need our help, but it’s important to know that we are here 24/7 if anything should ever come up. We also take pride in excellent communication with our client’s families to ensure everyone is on the same page.

So, if you’re wondering what kind of home care services our agency provides, now you know!

Who regulates home health agencies in Maryland?

The state of Maryland is responsible for licensing and regulating home health services. These services include skilled nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and medical social work: http://www.dhmh.state.md

What qualifies a patient for Maryland home health care services?

The biggest thing to remember is that in home care agencies like ourselves provide non-medical services such as personal care (which could be bathing, grooming, and dressing) light housekeeping, and meal preparation. We also do things like grocery shopping, medication reminders and we can even serve as companionship for your loved one if they need help with day to day activities as well as things like running errands, transportation, and shopping.

We also provide caregivers to assist with household chores such as laundry, dusting, vacuuming, and more. All these services can help your loved one remain in their home for as long as possible and give you peace of mind knowing they are getting the help they need while still living in their own home.

If you are currently struggling with the decision on whether or not in-home care is right for your loved one, we highly recommend contacting us for more information and even speaking with one of our experienced Care Managers to answer any questions you may have. We’re here to help!

What is the average cost of 24 hour home health care?

Our rates vary on a case-by-case basis as every client and their needs are different. But on average, you can expect our hourly rate to be anywhere from $25-$35 per hour depending on the services that your loved one needs.

What is the average number of hours a patient receives Maryland home care?

This varies on a case-by-case basis as well. Some people only need help with light housekeeping and some even just need companionship throughout the day, but others might need more extensive care such as assistance with personal hygiene or medication reminders.

Most often, people receive care 5 days a week because the service is needed for several hours each day. But, you can certainly arrange to have someone come in 7 days a week if that’s your preference!

We are here to answer any questions you might have and we will work around your schedule as well as budget to find the right plan for you and your loved one.

What is the difference between an in-home care agency and a private duty nursing agency?

An in-home care agency provides non-medical services such as personal care (which could be bathing, grooming, and dressing) light housekeeping, meal preparation, or providing companionship for your loved one. We also provide caregivers to assist with household chores such as laundry, dusting, vacuuming, and more.

A private duty nursing agency provides skilled nursing which means they can do things like change bandages or provide wound care for your loved one. They also provide physical therapy such as helping them with walking or range of motion exercises. Our clients might need a combination of both services so we work to provide the best possible care for your loved one.

What areas of Maryland do you provide in-home care for?

We provide Maryland home care in Montgomery County, Baltimore County, St Charles County, Howard County, Prince Georges County, and Anne Arundel County.  We also service Harford County, Carroll County, Baltimore City, and Annapolis Junction.

Will my loved one be assigned more than one Home Health Aide?

When you choose Family Choice Health Care as your home health agency we will assign your loved one 1 home health aide.  We believe that this consistency increases the level of care and comfortability for everyone involved.  Your family member will get to know their caregiver on a very personal level.  Likewise, the caregiver will be able to learn and understand the nuances and services needed.

Will Your Caregivers provide medical assistance to their patients?

We are an in-home care agency and as such our caregivers are not physicians, nurses, or health care providers.  We will follow orders and treatment plans provided by your family’s physician and provide the non-medical services needed.

Can you provide Home Health Services?

Home Health Services are classified as skilled services that require a nurse or a physician to administer.  Our home health aides are not qualified to provide these services.  If your loved one needs medical care then you will need to contact one of the many Home Health Agencies in Maryland.  Home Health Agencies may be medicare certified and provide services we cannot. They will assign you a professional nurse or therapist that will have access to resources for your family members’ treatment.

In Maryland your search is over for an in-home care agency that can provide your loved one with the care and services they need.  Contact us today.