 Over 16% of the Kansas population is 65 years and older, and the U.S. Census Bureau estimates that seniors will comprise 25% of the state’s residents by 2030. A lower-than-average cost of living helps local seniors, and the state is home to the highly-rated University of Kansas Hospital, which is 24th in the nation for senior care. Overall costs for home care are lower than national averages: the average cost for in-home care in Kansas is just $4,576 a month based on 2021 figures.
In-home care costs in Kansas hover about $500 per month below the national average. In-home care provides assistance with grocery shopping, housekeeping and other daily living activities but is less intensive than home health care, which includes services such as physical and occupational therapy. Home care is a cost-effective alternative to hospital and nursing home stays. Home care services are provided through a variety of home care providers. The Kansas Home Care & Hospice Association offers a directory of member agencies that will allow you to search for an agency using specific search criteria. A complete listing is also available through the Kansas Dept. of Health and Environment. All agencies providing medical care in the home in Kansas are licensed and surveyed by the state, and many are certified by Medicare. If you’re looking for help so you can continue living in your home as you age, you might need in-home care, which assists with housekeeping and daily living tasks. If you need some help with minor medical care, such as wound management or diabetes care, you may need home health care services. Based on the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, the average cost for in-home care in Kansas is $4,576. If you need home health care, expect to pay about $100 more with an average of $4,671 a month. While many seniors choose to age at home, you might find that a different care option works best for your needs. Home care costs an average of $4,576 in Kansas, with an average of $4,671 for home health care. Nursing home care is the most expensive option at an average of $6,296, while assisted living care is fairly close to home care, averaging $4,580 a month. The most affordable option is adult day care, which averages $1,788 a month. Contact us here at Next Level Nursing Solutions, 620-794-1338, for more information. We are HEALTH CARE WITH HEART!
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Excerpts from an article by Elder Law Answers can help you learn more about respite care. It is easy to burn out when you are responsible for providing full-time care to an aging or disabled loved one. In some cases, caregiver burnout can result in resentment toward the individual they care for, despite their love for them. The fact is, we all need a break sometimes. That is why respite care exists. If you are a caregiver who needs to take time for yourself, read more to learn about respite care. What Does Respite Mean?Taking respite means having a temporary period of rest. For primary caregivers, this typically refers to securing short-term care for your loved one – even several weeks or months – so that you can recharge amid the very real burdens of caregiving. In finding respite, you also might make time to practice self-care, from going to the gym to connecting with friends. Do not forget to find ways to maintain your sense of self while you are in the midst of giving so much of your time and attention to someone else. Caregivers Want Information About Respite CareIn a 2022 survey of caregivers, Caregiving in America found that most were unaware that respite care was available. Many caregivers need more education about their options for respite care and how to build a network of support to share the load of providing financial and emotional support to an ailing loved one. Here are some of the study’s findings:
Preventing Caregiver FatigueThe challenges of taking care of an ailing loved one can be extremely stressful. More than that, the strain of serving as a caregiver – often unpaid – can make a real and lasting impact on your own health if not kept in check. Symptoms of burnout among caregivers may include the following:
(If you are caring for a loved one with dementia, you may also be interested in learning more about burnout and other specific kinds of resources available to you.) What Is Respite Care?Respite care gives caretakers a chance to relax and take a break from the responsibility of providing full-time care to loved ones who are aging or disabled. Respite programs offer short-term replacement care. These providers will step in for a short period to take on the responsibility of caring for your loved one. The types of care you can expect them to take on may include the following:
How Much Does Respite Care Services Cost?The cost of respite care varies depending on how long you use the service. You can schedule respite care for several days, weeks, months, or longer. Who Pays for Respite Care?Private insurance will typically not cover respite care, unfortunately. If your loved one is covered by Medicare or Medicaid, you may be able to secure five consecutive days of respite care. Your loved one must be receiving hospice care benefits for Medicare to cover respite care. Finding Respite CareSeveral organizations provide respite care. If your family member is covered by Medicaid, you can speak to a Medicaid planner in your state to determine what programs may be available. As mentioned above, Medicare covers respite care under its hospice benefit. If your loved one is not covered by Medicare or Medicaid, don’t worry; there are private organizations that provide this service. These organizations include: Contact us here at Next Level Nursing Solutions to talk through your options. We can help you explore how to pay for respite care, how your loved one might qualify for Medicaid, and more.  More and more people are asking: What is the difference between home care and private duty care? As healthcare costs rise, more and more our loved ones and seniors are being cared for at home. In-home care is often provided by families, relatives and friends, but it can be hard to manage with increasingly busy schedules and long distances to travel. Home care providers can offer significant relief and support for individuals in need as well as their caretakers. Certified home health care is provided for patients in need of skilled care by nurses and other home health assistants, like physical therapists or licensed vocational nurses. Home health care is typically covered by Medicare and consists of caregivers coming to a patient’s residence. Home health care visits are coordinated by a physician. This type of care is given in the home under doctor’s orders. It includes care similar to what one would receive in a hospital or skilled nursing facility, but is less expensive and much more convenient for both patient and caretaker. Home health care covers a wide range of skilled health care services, given at the time of an illness or injury. Home health care services can include:
Private duty care is a service typically provided to elderly individuals who require assistance with their day-to-day activities. Private duty aides can assist with tasks such as housekeeping, meal preparation, and offering companionship to those who need additional assistance to remain safe and comfortable in their own home. Private duty care is not covered by Medicare and is typically paid for by the client. The goal of private duty care is to help maintain a client’s ability to stay in their home comfortably, and to offer a respite for other caregivers. Private duty services can include:
Next Level’s high standards ensure professionalism, compassionate care, and teamwork in every workplace. We guarantee superior care within your budget. Let us help you select the care level and services that are right for your loved one. Contact Next Level Nursing Solutions at 620-794-1338, email us at nextlevel@nextlevelnursingsolutions.com, message us on Facebook, or stop by our office at 602 Commercial St. in downtown Emporia.  No matter how much we wish things could be different, sometimes difficult conversations must happen as our loved ones (and ourselves!) get older. One of those difficult conversations centers on when it is time to bring caregiving services into the home. Even though the topic can be upsetting to many older people, private duty caregiving services may be the only way to ensure the continued well-being of your parent or spouse or loved one. Those caregiving services can range from simple companionable times to housework to meal preparation to dispensing medications and assisting with cognitive or mobility issues. There are some definite signals as to when your loved one needs professional home care: unusual weight loss or weight gain, for example, can indicate dementia or a mild stroke, among other things. Even if you can’t spend as much time with your aging parent as you’d like, one warning sign is difficult to miss: failing to perform personal hygiene. This is not so much about flawless makeup or perfectly coordinated clothing, but about basic cleanliness. Body odor, continuously wearing the same clothes, or an overall unkempt appearance signals that it is time to engage professional home health assistance. Is the house messier than usual, or is there a lot of unopened mail, or are items showing up in strange places (like the milk container is in the dishwasher instead of the refrigerator)? These are clear signals that your loved one is struggling to cope, and may be losing the battle with cognitive decline. Just as important: how are YOU, your parents’ or your spouse’s primary caregiver, coping? Are you overwhelmed or exhausted from the constant demands of caregiving while juggling a job and family responsibilities? Caregiver stress and compassion fatigue are very real. Before you are overcome, it is vital that you have that professional home care conversation–for the ongoing safety and health of both your loved one and yourself. Find out more about Next Level Nursing Solution’s compassionate, safe, professional private duty services, and let us walk you through options that can benefit both you and your loved one. Take the step that can help improve the quality of life for your loved one while allowing them to remain in their own home. We are home health care with a heart.  |
AuthorNext Level Nursing Solutions owner Misty Gardner is a Registered Nurse who understands all sides of nurse staffing. Archives
March 2023
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