As we age, things aren’t as simple as they used to be. Tasks like grocery shopping, meal preparation, and housekeeping are annoying chores to just about anyone, but for seniors, they’re more than mere annoyances. Physical and mental limitations can make these errands difficult to execute. To take care of themselves, many seniors have to enlist the help of their families.
However, it isn’t always possible for seniors to receive the care they need from their loved ones. Some families live too far away, while others are too busy with child rearing and work to offer senior care as well. When a senior can’t afford the cost of a caregiver, what can they do?
Thankfully, there are no-cost options home care services covered by Medicaid.
How Medicaid Can Help
Medicaid is a federal and state program that helps low-income individuals and families pay for medical care. In addition to doctor’s visits and prescriptions, Medicaid also covers many long-term care services for seniors.
To qualify for Medicaid’s long-term care services, you must:
- Be a U.S. citizen or qualifying legal immigrant
- Be 65 years of age or older, Arizona’s disability criteria
- Have a need for services as assessed by the state
- Single seniors can not receive more than $2,382 in gross monthly pay. Married applicants cannot have a monthly income greater than $4,764.
- Must not exceed the state’s asset limits
If you meet these eligibility requirements, you can receive at-home care for little cost. These in-home care services covered by Medicaid are designed to help seniors who struggle with activities of daily living, not medical help.
The Home Care Services Medicaid Covers…
Medicaid can help cover the cost of in-home care services so that seniors can age in place. These services are designed to make everyday tasks easier and allow seniors to live safely and comfortably at home.
Personal care
Personal care activities include bathing, dressing, and grooming. They also encompass transferring needs like using the restroom, toileting, getting in and out of bed, and walking around the house. Many seniors find these activities difficult to do on their own due to limited mobility. An at-home caregiver can help with personal care tasks to make sure that you’re able to maintain your hygiene and dignity.
Light housekeeping
Sweeping, dusting, cleaning the bathroom, and cleaning the kitchen is more physically taxing than one might think. Especially for seniors, these activities can take a serious toll. This can lead older adults to avoid cleaning, which when left unattended for too long, can lead to physical and mental health issues. An in-home caregiver can help lighten the load by taking care of some or all of these tasks.
Laundry
Many seniors find doing laundry more difficult than it used to be. While this comes as a surprise to some, they need to take a moment to stop and think about it. Regular lifting, bending, and carrying laundry can be exhausting. An at-home care aide can wash, dry, iron, and fold your laundry to ease the burden.
Meal preparation and planning
Oftentimes, seniors are too tired to cook by the end of the day. It can be daunting to think of options for certain dietary restrictions. Others may not be able to properly measure ingredients or follow a recipe. This can lead to unhealthy habits, such as not eating enough or eating convenience foods that lack nutritional value. An in-home caregiver can help with meal planning and preparing healthy meals.
Running errands
Once driving grows to be difficult, leaving the house is a challenge for seniors. Whether it’s unsafe for them to drive or they don’t have reliable transportation, getting to the grocery store or post office can seem impossible. What’s more, once they arrive they then have to wait in lines and do their shopping. An at-home caregiver can help by running errands for you.
Organization and technology
A cluttered home is an unsafe home. Stacks of old papers, loose cords, and more serve as significant fall risks. An in-home caregiver can help seniors create an organized home by removing clutter and making sure everything has its place. They can also help with technology, such as setting up a tablet for video calls or working a complicated remote.
Home Care Arizona Offers Quality In-Home Care
If you require in-home care you can rely on, Home Care Arizona can help. Our highly trained staff works tirelessly to ensure our care recipients receive the best care possible in order to live out their lives in comfort. With us, it’s possible to live independently in the comfort of your own home.
To learn more about the program, call (623) 526-6367.