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"You're not the only one dealing with issues!"
Caregivers: Dementia | Last Active: Jul 23, 2023 | Replies (48)Comment receiving replies
In my case, I'm based overseas and fortunately we can source home health care at a very reasonable cost - it just takes time to find the right person. This will be the best solution for me as all my relatives and most of my closest friends are in the U.S. Some friends have recently moved away due to unfavorable developments in my host country. So it's gotten lonely.... I still hope to move back home but a lot will depend on health care options / costs as I understand Medicare does not cover home health care in particular, or dementia in general.
Replies to "In my case, I'm based overseas and fortunately we can source home health care at a..."
rxw1853- Do you mean Medicare won't cover certain things in your host country or the US?
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Medicare covers Home Health for acute care/recent discharge from a hospital or Rehab, but not custodial care. The person also has to be “home bound”- it takes a considerable and taxing effort to leave the home and leaving the home occurs primarily for physician visits. Home health and personal care agencies can provide caregivers for custodial care, at private pay. There is a “Waiver” program administered by each county Area Agency on Aging that is income-based and pays for caregivers. For military veterans, there is a Dept of Veterans Affairs caregiving program, also income-based. Some people use Adult Day Care a few days to a full work week, many provide transportation and accept Medicaid clients.
Private pay with an agency or business usually requires a minimum of a 3 hour block, but they can provide up to 24 hr care. You’ll see alot of different staff people, but usually the shifts will be covered by somebody, in case of call-offs. Employing a person you find on your own can work, but there will be no coverage back-up.
It sounds like you are carefully thinking about what to do. As long as you feel safe in your country, having affordable access to caregivers is a big blessing.