Can different home care services be provided for two different individuals in the same household?
Yes. We create tailored plans of care for both individuals based on their requirements. Assessing individuals as part of a couple is usually not helpful.
One spouse may still be quite independent and, for example, may still do the grocery shopping and cook breakfast for the family. The other spouse may need help to prepare breakfast, and to do the shopping and other household chores.
Just because two people live in the same household, it doesn't mean their requirements are the same.
How do you create a plan for an individual?
First, we look at each spouse separately.
We ask "What does this person want help with?" instead of "What do this couple need?"
Once we learn what each person wants, and the answers are likely to be different, then we can have the discussion on what support or services will help both spouses get what they want.
Our home care services are adaptable to provide the supports that are needed instead of providing a one-size solution based on the individuals living in the same household.
One spouse may not be able to start their day until after breakfast. The other may want to leave the house in the morning. One spouse may need a lot of reminders throughout the day. The other may not need any reminders.
One Care Pro may not be able to support both individuals if their needs do not align. Support may mean involving both individuals in support tasks that help the entire household. This may include helping to prepare a meal or assisting with the household chores.
Individuals may need support at different times throughout the day. For example, one individual may need support in the morning to help them get ready for the day. The other may need support in the afternoon.
One Care Pro may be able to support both individuals if the tasks involved do not take a significant amount of time. One Care Pro may not be able to support both individuals if one spouse requires a lot of support in the morning, and the other requires a lot of support in the evening.
I'll look at 4 things:
- What are each person's care gaps?
- When are those gaps?
- Which activities do people do at the same time?
- Which activities do people do separately?
It could mean one Care Pro at a time, or simply changing the schedule to separate the times that support is provided.
We have to stop pretending that just because two care needs occur in the same house, that those needs are the same, and therefore only require one Care Pro to support them.
What measures prevent the more independent spouse from becoming the full time, unpaid caregiver?
This is the most crucial question.
It's natural for the more independent spouse to start taking over and becoming the caregiver for the more dependent spouse.
It's normal to help your spouse, however, doing that doesn't mean that one person should carry the burden of all the care.
I'll look to see what was removed from the more independent person's tasks and now it has to be done in the household.
Have they stopped attending appointments because they feel they no longer have the capacity to leave the house?
Have their appointments been postponed?
Are they doing tasks they find physically challenging?
Are they able to be a husband and wife instead of a caregiver?
Help doesn’t always mean removing the spouse from the caregiver role. In fact, it should be the other way around. The care assistant can help with household tasks that have been defined in the care plan. This allows the spouse to be more active in other aspects of the care relationship.
They may wish to keep performing some household tasks, while giving up others.
They may wish to maintain a higher level of independence and be provided with support in order to attend their appointments.
They may wish to be supported so that they can leave the house for part of the day.
It is up to the couple to choose the care plan that best suits their household.
How Should Billing and Scheduling Questions Be Handled During the Care Consultation?
Ask direct questions during the Care Consultation. Don’t assume that care for two individuals living in the same household will be structured or billed in the same way. There may be tasks in the household that require care to be scheduled independently for the two individuals.
I would provide a basic description of each person’s routine. You don’t need an official document. In your description, tell what tasks the person performs independently and what assistance, if any, is needed. Also include when this assistance is needed.
Can a care Pro sufficiently support both people during the same visit?
Are the support needs to each person, individually, support needs to both people, jointly?
Are the support needs to each person, individually, support needs to both people, jointly?
Are the support needs to each person, individually, support needs to both people, jointly?
How are the support needs expressed in the care plan?
If the support needs of one of the people increase in the future, how will this affect the overall plan and support provided?
What is the cost if two people from the same household receive care?
Prior to the start of care what is the best way for the family to understand care coordination?
Pricing will be determined after the office meeting and the needs of both people have been assessed.
This meeting also gives the family the opportunity to focus on the needs of the person who is less in need to the extent that those needs will not be ignored because of the care needs of the person requiring more assistance.
Home Care in Livingston, LA: Common Questions
Can the Same Care Pro Care for Both Parents?
Yes, as long as the Care Pro can meet the needs of both parents during the same visit. Care Plans must consider the needs of all client family members. The Care Pro may not be able to care for both parents if they need to be cared for at different times. For example, if both parents require care at the same time, or if the needs of the family members require care during different hours of the day, then additional Care Pros or resources may need to be utilized.
Is it Required for Both Spouses to Need the Same Level of Care?
No. As long as both people in the household understand the needs of each individual, then care can be tailored to the individual’s needs, even if they differ significantly. For example, one spouse may need a lot of care, while the other spouse may be more independent.
Can Home Care Take Some of the Burden From the Caregiving Spouse?
Yes, home care can take some tasks off of the caregiving spouse's list, to better assist the caregiving spouse in managing their other tasks.
What if Spouse's Care Needs Change?
If caregiving spouse's care needs change, a family care meeting should be scheduled with the Home Instead team serving the Hammond area to review and modify care services provided. Care plans can always change to fit evolving needs of a family and care recipients.
Will Home Instead help with medical care for either spouse?
Home Instead provides non-medical home care. Our Care Providers are not permitted to provide medical care, including routine nursing services and skill care. They are also not permitted to make clinical judgments or orders. For the delivery of medical care, nursing services andskill care and other clinical services, an appropriate licensed nurse or other appropriate licensed health care provider must be engaged.
Will both spouses participate in the Care Consultation?
Having both spouses participate in the Care Consultation can help to illicit each spouse’s preferences and routines. It is beneficial to gather input from extended family members and caregivers, but when possible, older adults should have the opportunity to articulate their needs, preferences and goals.
If only one spouse requires immediate assistance, will care still be provided?
Even if only one spouse requires assistance, care can still be provided to the other spouse based on how the roles are distributed in the home.
If two older adults in Livingston require different levels of assistance, will they be required to adjust their needs to conform with a single support plan?
Not at all. It is highly recommended that a Home Instead support services plan be developed based on the needs of the two older adults and the family.
About the Author
Matt Cohn has spent more than 25 years helping older adults and their families find the right support to remain safe and comfortable at home. He is the owner of Home Instead locations serving Hammond and other communities and has worked closely with families, caregivers, and care professionals through many of the decisions that come with aging and in-home care.
