The low down on Home Health Care:

The best elder care solution is when your parents get the required support in a friendly and familiar environment and what can be more ideal than their own home? So whether it is help in applying new bandages after a surgery or administering I.V. fluids or just help with daily walks in the park, the health care professionals will come to the house and provide the required service. They also usually have portable and non-portable medical diagnostic equipment that can be hooked up at your parent's home.

Quality elder care solution providers also usually offer optional services such as 24 x 7 medical care, emergency medical care, nursing support, professional massage therapists, professional psychotherapist, medical escort services and so on. If your parents need to go on a holiday but require weekly dialysis, the elder care solution providers will make the arrangements. They offer a lot of optional services and will usually go the extra mile in customizing services. So if your parents need a particular type of service that is not mentioned in their brochure, feel free to discuss it with the representative. Of course as with all services, quality elder care solutions too come with a price tag.

The cost of home based quality elder care solution depends on the nature of support that is required. A once-a-week check-in would be at the lower end of the cost scale. The cost would progressively escalate if:

a)     The frequency or number of visits per week increases

b)     The nature of support requires highly trained professionals (for example psychotherapist or registered nurses with specific experience)

c)     On site medical equipment is required such as oxygen tents or monitoring equipment.

d)     Regular visits by physicians

e)     Visits by medical super specialists

At the onset, elder care solution providers will usually send out an experienced social worker to your parent's house. He (or she) will assess the level of support required (at no charge) and provide you a feedback as well as report to the elder care solution provider. It might be a good idea to discuss any special needs with the social worker and a representative of the elder care solution provider.

Finally, before you sign on the dotted line, ask questions. If in doubt, seek the opinions of social workers or friends who might have used these services. If you don't understand any of the terms used, request that it be explained to you and above all, read the fine print understanding the costs that might be involved. Remember that quality elder care solution providers and the social worker will answer all your questions.

Unless you have reason not to, you should trust the judgment of the social worker. The social worker will be responsible for monitoring all home care support. Quality elder care solution providers also usually arrange for wellness nurse visits or physician visits and can work in tandem with case managers.