Page 96 - LIVESTRONG Digital Guidebook

HOME HEALTH CARE COSTS In certain cases, you may need to find a com-
panion and not someone skilled in medical care. It
Home health care services can be costly. You might can cost less to hire on your own. Yet, it could take
have to pay for some long-term home care with per- a lot of time to find the right caregiver, and it may
sonal funds. Private health insurance or disability be more complex than you think. For example, you
policies may cover some of the expenses. State and may be legally required to pay taxes or purchase
federal Medicaid and Medicare programs may pay insurance for the caregiver. Talk with an expert about
some of the costs. Contact your local human ser- what is required if you employ the caregiver yourself.
vice programs for more information. Your local Area You will also want to carefully check references if you
Agency on Aging (n4a.org) should also be able to do not already know the caregiver.
provide information about help in your area.

HOME CARE OPTIONS

Some families use a formal caregiver contract to hire
a loved one to do home care for a family member.
This is called a personal service or personal care
agreement. If you are thinking about doing this, get
legal guidance from an attorney who specializes in
this area.

LIVESTRONG means finding the best way to meet your home health care needs.

See the LIVESTRONG Guidebook Planner and Journal pages:
During Treatment: Organizing Medical Information

Read more about living with cancer at LIVESTRONG.org/WeCanHelp
• Home Health Care
• Federal and State Benefit Programs
• Transportation and Other Support Services

96 B : D U R I N G T R E AT M E N T D AY- T O - D AY C O N C E R N S www.LIVESTRONG.org/WeCanHelp