Maryland Home Care

Home Care in Maryland - Cost Comparison

Finding home care in Maryland will vary from each city to the next depending on what services you need from a caregiver, including the degree of medical attention required. Home care services can provide you or your loved one assistance with the activities of daily life, or more involved medical care depending on the licensing of the medical professional or non-medical paraprofessional of your choice. 

Generally speaking, nurses, physician’s assistants, physical and occupational therapists among others are able to administer medical attention and services. Health aides, personal care attendants, homemakers, or companions provide more general caregiving services like hygiene assistance, general shopping, medication management, and transportation.

Since these roles and license types can overlap in their duties, it’s important to have a clear understanding of one’s individual needs in order to make the best decision. 

There are a number of cities throughout Maryland that have senior home care agencies but the median monthly cost ranges from:

• Highest Cost: Frederick Area $4,362
• Lowest Cost: Cumberland $3,289

Recreation & Attractions

Maryland has a wide range of attractions and chances for recreation throughout the state. There are many natural sites to visit such as the Deep Creek Lake State Park, Assateague State Park, or tourist favorites like Ocean City, Brookside Garden, or the Babe Ruth Birthplace Museum. Maryland offers a great mix of coastal or forested opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. 

Depending on your mobility, senior centers throughout the state also provide senior-friendly activities such as exercise classes, music classes, technology classes, games and more. Specialized senior trips are also available to places such as the U.S. Naval Academy, the National Aquarium, or the beach.

Maryland's Climate, Geography & Culture

The ocean and bays influence the climate in Maryland with less temperature extremes and more rain in the coastal regions. As a whole, the state is temperate and supports four seasons with warm, semi-humid summers and cold winters. The average high temperature during the summer is 87 degrees with an average low during the winter of 25 degrees. Thunderstorms are common during the summer, with peak precipitation occuring between July and August with a total of 43 inches of rain falling annually. Snowfall varies significantly throughout the state with the coastal regions getting around 10 inches a year, while mountainous regions can get over 100 inches. Lightweight clothing is recommended for the summer and a mid-weight coat is usually adequate for the winter.

Maryland’s culture is a mix of the north and the south because of its location right in the middle. There are significant colonial influences, especially in the older cities which can be seen in their architecture. Additionally, Maryland takes pride in its natural parks and works hard to preserve them. Tourism is big in the state, with the Assateague Island National Seashore and Dan’s Mountain Wildlife Management Area being some of the biggest attractions.

Crime & Safety in Maryland

When choosing home care for you or a loved one, it can be helpful to know which areas are safer and have lower crime rates. Not only will it help a patient's peace of mind, but safe environments will make it much easier for family members to visit without worrying about safety. Here are some of the safest cities found throughout Maryland. 

(source: safewise.com)

Maryland's Home Care Regulations & Laws

As determined by federal legislation (42 CFR 484.36), each Medicare-certified home health agency may only employ home care professionals who meet the state-approved training program requirements. These regulations ensure that each medical professional or non-medical paraprofessional has received a federal minimum of 75 hours of training, including 16 hours of supervised practical training and an additional 12 hours of training every following year. Maryland actually requires 100 hours of baseline training for its home care providers, so you'll be even more likely to find the right option!

Payment Options for Maryland Home Care

Paying for home care is possible through a variety of different methods, with some more financially plausible than others. After you’ve determined the general price of home care near you, understanding how to pay is next. 

Firstly, Medicare does not pay for non-medical in-home care services. Mostly, it is used for its Supplemental Insurances to cover Medicare copayments and deductibles. In order to qualify for Medicare coverage for in-home care, it must be deemed medically necessary. 

For veterans of the U.S., the Improved Pension and Homebound and Aid & Attendance Pension may be used to help pay for or cover the entire costs of home care. To learn whether you or a loved one qualifies for these benefits, contact your local Veterans’ Association or Area Agency on Aging. 

Paying privately is also an option for many seniors through several methods. Besides using one’s own savings to pay for care, others may choose to pay through a reverse mortgage, by opening a home equity line of credit or by converting their life insurance policies.

Last but not least, Medicaid is an insurance program for low-income seniors and their families able to be used as payment for non-medical home care, home health care, and other home support programs referred to as Home and Community Based Services (HCBS). 

Senior & Elderly Rights for Home Care in Maryland

Medicare-approved home health care guarantees you a series of rights and protections designed to provide you with the best experience possible. When you start with your care, it is required that the home health agency’s caretaker must provide you with a written copy of your rights. Firstly, you are entitled to choose your own home health agency, although if you are on a managed care plan your choices may be fewer. At all times, your privacy, property, and individual autonomy must be respected by your caregiver within the parameters of the care provided. 

Although there may be the possibility that you will lack the ability to make reasonable or informed decisions about your home health care, you can appoint a family member or legal guardian to act on your behalf. It is also important to note that your Constitutional rights and those afforded to you by the Bill of Rights are retained throughout your care. If you believe that you have experienced a violation of your rights, do not hesitate to contact a lawyer familiar with elder law or have someone advocate for you. 

Maryland Home Care: Medical Record Rules & Regulations

Seniors receiving home care in Maryland have the right to obtain copies of their medical records and other protected health information. By reviewing your information you’ll always be able to make any corrections needed with the supervision of your healthcare provider and ensure the overall accuracy of these records.

In some cases, your information can take up to 30 days to be fully processed and available to you, with healthcare providers allowed one extension of an additional 30 days. If this limit is exceeded, you must be provided with a written statement as to why the delay occurred.