Home Health Care

Home health care has become a preferred method of caring for elderly people in our society. It fulfills the needs of both the individual who is able to remain in their own familiar surroundings and of Medicare and health insurance providers who don't have to pick up the higher costs incurred by moving the person into a nursing facility. There are, however, some initial costs involved in making a person's home ready for home care. This article is going to investigate some of these costs and possible ways to finance them.

A hospital bed is often a necessity for the home bound. This type of bed both protects the patient and makes it easy for caregivers to do the things they need to do. The bed is equipped with adjustable side rails, wheels for easy movement, and even buttons the patient can use to call the caregiver. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has set guidelines for how these beds are constructed and operated. They range from manual to partially electric to full-electric models. While full-electric means the ultimate ease of operation, this bed will also be the most expensive. Medicare will only cover the cost of bed rentals. If you wish to purchase your own full-electric bed, you can expect to pay around $900 for a good, basic model. Adding other options which are available will be an additional cost.

A wheelchair is also often a necessary piece of equipment for someone in home care. It provides greater, safer movement for those with mobility issues. Once again, the chairs vary greatly. The most popular are power chairs. These chairs can range from lightweight to heavy, and the costs will vary. You can find power wheelchairs and scooters available online which will help you compare and buy with ease. If you want to keep the price of the chair down, you can investigate websites such as eBay or Nextag to compare prices for both wheelchairs and power scooters.

Other types of equipment may be necessary based on the infirmities the patient is having. You may need to purchase breathing equipment, a walk-in bathtub, other bath aids, such as a stool or safety bars, lift chairs, toilet extensions, incontinence supplies, and mobility aids. Although none of this equipment is inexpensive, most of these items represent a one-time purchase. Patients who find themselves strapped for the necessary cash need to look into their insurance benefits. Often insurance companies and Medicare will pay for these supplies if they are prescribed by a doctor. There are also loan companies who specialize in home care available online that can help you finance the equipment you need.