What Is the Cost of Home Care in Alberta?
What Is the Cost of Home Care in Alberta?
Many seniors opt to live at home rather than live in adult day health facilities with high assisted living costs. However, remaining at home also comes with its' costs.
Many seniors require additional support and care - beyond what the government can subsidize. Individuals who remain at home and require assistance with daily living seek what's known as "home care."
Home care can help seniors achieve and maintain daily health, well-being, and personal independence in their own homes.
Alberta Health Services (AHS) can contribute to the cost of in-home care if a physician refers it. Upon a referral, staff at AHS assess the health needs of the individual and recommend the level of caregiver required.
Senior in-home care costs can vary depending on the level of professional caregiver or aide required or suggested by AHS.
Read our latest article to get a better understanding of the cost associated with in-home care in Alberta and when to seek private home care services.
What Is Home Care?
Home care is a type of personal care provided by a professional caregiver in the individual's home rather than in a group home setting or assisted living facilities. Home care caregivers include certified health care aides, certified nursing assistants, licensed practical nurses, personal support workers, companions, and registered nurses. Home care services can include:
Non-medical care
Medical assistance or assistance with chronic health care services (this typically requires an LPN or RN)
Daily living assistance
Round the clock care
Wellness checks, including vital signs, physical and mental health
Transportation
Meal preparation
Light housekeeping and household chores
Administering of medications
Wound care
Personal hygiene assistance, including bathing, toileting, and grooming
Companionship
Why Choose Home Care Over a Nursing Home?
Many seniors want to remain in their homes for as long as possible. Their homes are their safe haven - a place they've created, shared memories and lived in for many years. The familiarity of their own home is comforting and sentimental.
If an individual decides to transition to a nursing home, it usually takes many months, even years, to adjust to new surroundings and routines. The best alternative is to remain in the home and have a professional caregiver provide in home care as often as needed.
Home care can also be relatively cost-effective. Family members who cannot provide full-time or even part-time care cannot afford assisted living facility costs. It is much more cost beneficial to have their loved one at home where full- or part-time in-home care costs are more manageable.
Alberta Health Services Coverage
Alberta Health Services (AHS) can only cover medical care, and senior home care costs up to a certain amount. As a result, many individuals may need additional support outside Alberta Health Services. In that case, family members and individuals seek extra help from private home care companies and home care agencies like Aspen Care to supplement.
Aspen Care Health can supplement Alberta Health Services and provide additional in home care services. We have licensed practical nurses and certified health care aides to deliver exemplary in home care services depending on the level of care required or recommended by Alberta Health Services. We work with you and your family members to assess your AHS benefit and develop the proper home care plan within your budget.
Senior Home Care Cost
Costs vary from healthcare company to healthcare company. Every in home care company or home care agency has its' benefits. Depending on the type of company, level of caregiver, or type of nursing services required, hourly rates from private home care companies can range from $30-$100 per hour, with Aspen Care falling in the mid to high range.
Low Income Seniors
Low income seniors may also be eligible for financial assistance to supplement their in home care cost through the Alberta Seniors Benefit program. The Alberta Seniors Benefit program provides support in addition to the federal benefits received under Old Age Security, Guaranteed Income Supplement, Federal Allowance, and the GST credit. It is based on income and provides monthly cash benefits to eligible seniors. The lower a senior’s income, the higher the cash benefit will be, up to the maximum amount. (Source).
Why Choose Aspen Care Home Care Services?
Aspen Care is a boutique home care company with tailored high-end services covering a variety of clients' needs and wishes. We can help clients with anything they want in the home, so they can keep fulfilling their passions and doing what they love daily.
Our mission is to help seniors live independently for as long as possible, ensuring they receive the quality of life they deserve.
Every client receives a free consultation and assessment depending on their needs and wishes. Aspen Care will pair you with the best personal care aide or nurse, depending on the level of care you or your loved one requires.
We have a personal approach to every client's circumstance. Aspen Care is different than most home care agencies and, as a result, the Winner of the 2021 Government of Alberta Minister Senior Service Awards business category.
Give us a call or email us today to receive your free consultation - Shelley (Director of Aspen Care), or one of our qualified team members would be happy to work with you to develop your home care plan!
Give Us a Call: 1-403-990-3837
Take a Look at What Our Clients and Families Are Saying About Aspen Care’s Home Care:
"Aspen care defines the true meaning of home care with care and support. If a friend or family was in need of home care, I would 100% recommend Aspen Care." - Laiyila
"The caring, compassionate and professional care provided by Aspen Care nurses brought my husband and I through a medical crisis. My husband was discharged from hospital into the AHS palliative home care program which allows him to remain at home. While the support for daytime care is excellent, it does not allow for overnight care. His condition prevented him from restful sleep through the night as he required repositioning, the administering of “as needed” medication and oxygen management. I worried about my own ability to care for him as my exhaustion grew. Aspen Care, a Calgary based nursing care boutique company led by Shelley McLellan, LPN was hired to provide overnight care. They have made all the difference. Consulting with my husband’s doctors, they tailored his care to meet our challenges. Thanks to Aspen Care I am a better daytime caregiver as I now sleep through the night knowing he is well looked after. He is now stable with a better quality of life. Aspen Care was recommended to us by a dear friend who is a retired hospital and hospice Chaplain. We, in turn, recommend them to those seeking to keep a medically compromised loved one in the home for as long as possible. The nurses at Aspen Care will forever have our gratitude." - Elaine
