The Growing Role of Home-Based Care Services

The healthcare industry can sometimes be slow to accept change, even though its technology, techniques, and tools have all been improving at an exponential rate. In the past, health professionals tended to view home-based care services as unnecessary for a standard senior health plan, and government programs like Medicare Advantage did not formally recognize their value either.

However, with a record number of seniors living in the United States today, the healthcare industry is starting to realize the importance of care services in the home, especially for the elderly. In addition to Medicare Advantage recently expanding their benefits to include in-home care options, a recent report from the Alliance for Home Health Quality and Innovation (AHHQI) explicitly notes that the home will be the center of care delivery in the future.

Connecting Healthcare with the Home

In their report, AHHQI lays out four key pillars that all healthcare providers – and non-medical in-home caregivers – should be aiming to follow in the upcoming decades. One of those pillars is to “provide seamlessly connected and coordinated care,” which the authors note should be a “top priority” for every provider and caregiver in the health care continuum.

As it currently stands, doctors may have fragmented records about senior health needs, and a limited ability to communicate across different health systems. Meanwhile, in-home caregivers and home health providers work with seniors away from the clinical setting, gaining a wealth of knowledge about their actual day-to-day needs, preferences, and concerns. Recognizing the incredible value of these relationships fostered at home, the AHHQI recommends that healthcare providers connect directly with caregiving professionals in the future, which will vastly improve quality of care for seniors.

The Value of Aging in Place

In addition to improving overall healthcare quality, research shows that home care plays an important role in providing emotional support and security for seniors. In 2018, an AARP survey found that over 75% of all adults over the age of 50 would prefer to stay in their current residence as they age, but that many are concerned they will not be able to age in place comfortably, or have access to proper emergency and medical care if they live alone.

Here at Homewatch CareGivers®, our franchise owners address gaps in the healthcare continuum by providing consistent, affordable caregiving services for seniors. From personal care to transportation to companionship, our model can give seniors a fully-customized care plan, and allow them to age in place without worrying about the future. In doing so, we hope to bridge the gap between the doctor’s office and the home – and to give seniors access to more connected, comprehensive care options than ever before.

Do you think our senior care franchise opportunity could be right for you? Give us a call at (888) 718-5318 today to explore your options.