Help Choose Home

Deborah Hoyt, the President and CEO of the Connecticut Association for Healthcare at Home, has been actively advocating for home care for years. Because home care is the lowest cost, and usually highest quality option for care, the system of reimbursement needs to switch from bricks and mortar to care at home.

The elder care industry continues to grow and change to meet the needs of our older population, many of whom wish to age or recover following a hospitalization in familiar surroundings. In-home care for aging adults is a readily available, convenient, and affordable option. And thanks to technology, in-home care can now easily be monitored, providing health care providers with up-to-date information on vital statistics, well-being, and more. Merrily Orsini, president and CEO of corecubed, is a 30-year veteran of the home care industry. According to Orsini, the number one thing families need to understand when considering care for an older adult is when home care is appropriate.

In the first episode of the Help Choose Home podcast, Shiela McMackin explains that years ago, when senior loved ones needed care, there were few choices and quality home care was oftentimes not one of them. Nursing homes or family members typically pieced together a plan based on necessity. At this time, care management and home care were in their infancy. But thanks to dedicated professionals like Ms. McMackin, the industry has exploded. Today, there is a variety of quality home care options for families who are looking for guidance and assistance when choosing the best care for their elderly loved one. Care managers, according to McMackin, work with families to get a sense of whether in-home care is the best option for their senior loved one. Some individuals may thrive being at home and maintaining a familiar routine. Other individuals may need the social aspects offered at a retirement or assisted living community. A care manager presents various options to the family and helps them find a solution that is best for their senior loved one. McMackin encourages families who are considering in-home care to choose an agency that participates in the Home Care Association of America (HCAOA). This organization represents more than 2,700 companies that are committed to providing quality home care for seniors.

Merrily Orsini is president and CEO of home care marketing agency corecubed. Sheila McMackin, LCSW, is president of Wellspring Personal Care in Chicago and founder of what is now the Home Care Association of America (HCAOA).