03/27/2023
Given the option, most people prefer to be cared for in the comfort and dignity of their own homes. Fortunately, many types of care that were once available only in professional facilities can now be accessed at home. Home care - both in its medical and non-medical forms - is now an essential component of our health and long-term care sectors, quietly serving millions of Americans at home, where they want to be.
Formal home care began in Massachusetts when public health nurses traveled to patients’ homes to care for the sick, instruct families, and comfort the dying. Though home care continues to provide these services, changing family dynamics, new client needs, and technological advances have enabled it to expand its catalog.
Today, home care encompasses a wide array of services but - at its core - always involves aides, therapists, and nurses providing care and assistance in clients’ residences. Depending on the situation, home care can include everything from occasional help with household chores to daily assistance with dressing and bathing to around-the-clock medical care.
For example, some people use home care briefly to recover from injuries or hospitalizations. Others use it to supplement services from assisted living or retirement communities. Still, others use it to remain healthy and independent at home, despite a chronic illness or diminished capabilities. In all these situations, good home care recognizes that each client requires an individualized care plan. Services vary, but the objective is always to support independence and allow the client to remain at home.
The Advantages of Home Care
Each year, more than 250,000 Massachusetts residents receive more than 9 million skilled-care visits from home healthcare agencies, and many thousands more receive non-medical care from home care agencies. They do so because home care:
● Is the most cost-effective form of care, with no room and board costs
● Promotes healing, as studies have shown that patients recover faster in the comfortable and supportive environment of their own homes;
● Offers flexible, customized programs tailored to client needs and finances; and
● Reinforces and supplements care from family and friends.
Why use a Home Care Agency?
Home care agencies provide essential benefits that other delivery options can’t match. When hiring a home care agency, it is crucial to find out whether it employs its caregivers itself or whether it is a registry of caregivers whom you or your family may directly hire. Though direct hires can be advantageous in some situations, many families are unaware of the additional burdens, legal liabilities and risks they bring.
Employer obligations: By hiring an aide or nurse directly, a family takes on the legal responsibilities of an employer, including paying payroll taxes, workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance, and liability. Homeowner’s insurance generally does not cover injury to paid workers in the home. Working with a home care agency alleviates families of these responsibilities.
Peace of mind: The only background checks that come with a direct hire are those that families do themselves. Home care agencies are required to conduct criminal background checks and have access to more comprehensive data than is available to the public.
Security and Contingency: If a direct hire harms of steals from a person under their care, the family is on its own to investigate. In contrast, home care agencies must carry various forms of insurance to protect their clients and are legally required to investigate complaints of abuse or theft swiftly. Additionally, agencies can provide a replacement if an aide or nurse is sick, injured or changes jobs.
�Training & Supervision: Families are responsible for training and supervising their direct hires. Home care agencies, however, have the experience, knowledge and resources to ensure their workers are thoroughly trained in any service or task they perform, including safe infection control, falls prevention, emergency preparations, and personal care tasks.
Available Home Care Services
In the AGENCIES section of this directory, agencies may provide any of the following services:
Adult Day Health features onsite congregate care during the day
Alzheimer’s/ Dementia Care includes specialized services to meet the needs of people with these conditions.
Appointment Escorts help clients get to and from health and medical appointments.
ASAP Contractor indicates an agency is approved to work with local Aging Services Access Points.
Chores and Cleaning includes tidying, cleaning, lifting etc
Companions alleviate loneliness and encourage socialization.
CWOCN stands for Certified Wound and Ostomy Care Nurses
Home Modification such as ramps and widened doorways, improves mobility.
Homemaking includes laundry, light cleaning and meal preparation.
Hospice(licensed) programs provide end -of-life care and counseling.
Intravenous Therapy is provided by a nurse with special training in IV use and medication administration.
Live-in-Aides provide around-the-clock assistance and reassurance.
Maternal and Child Health programs focus on new mothers and infants.
Medical Social Work coordinates services from other sources.
Nursing provides skilled assistance with health and medical issues.
Nutritionist programs are usually provided by registered dietitians who offer recommendations based on medical needs etc.
