We are going to look at Medicare and in-home care for older people in this post. However, before we get there, we will provide some background information to help you understand the overall dynamic.
Medical Care vs. Custodial Care
There are distinctions drawn with regard to the type of care that you may receive in your home. Medicare will cover necessary health care services that must be provided in your home for approved reasons. Basically, a doctor must certify that you are homebound, and you need an approved type of treatment or service.
When it comes to skilled nursing home care, it is limited to intermittent care. This is defined as care that is not needed seven days a week for durations that are less than eight hours per day. In all, the hours cannot exceed 28 hours in a week. The coverage can extend throughout a 30 day period. However, there can be more than one 30 day interim.
Custodial care is in another category. When a senior needs help with their activities of daily living like bathing, using the restroom, and dressing, they are receiving custodial care. This is not covered by Medicare, and homemaker services such as shopping and cleaning are not covered.
Key Aging and Long-Term Care Statistics
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Mr. Nirenstein is licensed to practice before the courts of the State of Connecticut and the United States District Court. He is a member of the Connecticut and Hartford County Bar Associations, and the Estate and Probate, Elder Law, Business Law and Real Estate Sections of the Connecticut Bar Association.
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