New Hampshire Home Care

Home Care in New Hampshire - Cost Comparisons

Generally speaking, licensed medical professionals work under the direction of a physician, with non-medical paraprofessionals working alongside other professionals in many cases. When seeking a home health care aide for you or your loved one, it’s important to understand the individual's needs for care. Home care can provide services such as housekeeping, general shopping, and medication management, to full-on nursing care and medical attention. Depending on what will be required on the job, the cost of this care will vary from each city to the next. 

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

• Highest Cost: The rest of the state $4,767
• Lowest Cost: Manchester Area $4,528

Recreation & Attractions in New Hampshire

New Hampshire has many attractions to draw in potential residents: Lake Winnipesaukee is one of the largest lakes in New Hampshire with more than 258 small islands. Visitors can also enjoy Strawbery Bank, an outdoor history museum consisting of 40 restored 17th and 18th-century buildings. Other popular attractions include Castle in the Clouds - a mansion on a small mountaintop that has 16 rooms and is open to the public. For nature lovers, Diana’s Baths are a series of small waterfalls that flow in the stream called Lucy Brook producing a dazzling sight. 

If you are less mobile than before, New Hampshire provides an endless supply of activities and things to see for seniors. There are senior centers throughout the state providing senior-friendly activities such as crafts, game nights, exercise classes, language classes and more. Specialized senior trips are also available to places such as Mount Washington, Prescott Park, and Castle in the Clouds.   

New Hampshire's Climate, Geography & Culture 

The climate in New Hampshire supports four distinct seasons. The summers are generally warm and humid and the winters are cold and snowy. The summer highs usually average 81 degrees and the winter lows average 10 degrees. New Hampshire gets more than double the average snowfall and higher than average rainfall when compared to the rest of the country with 73 inches and 43 inches annually over 127 days of measurable precipitation. However, the overall climate is considered very comfortable. Lightweight natural fabrics for the summer and heavy clothing for winter and early spring are recommended. 

New Hampshire’s culture is built off independence and self-reliance. Residents have the reputation of being libertarians that have a respect for nature. These sentiments make land conservation very important with New Hampshire's having one of the most intense programs in the country. People that live here are not always friendly at first but appreciate visitors that respect the land and have an open mind. Residents believe that people are entitled to live their lives the way they want to.

Crime & Safety in New Hampshire

When searching for home care in New Hampshire, it can help to know which areas are safer than others. Overall, New Hampshire ranks a 32 on a scale of 100 (1 being the lowest crime) for violent crime and 36 for property crime. Finding a safe environment for you or your loved one can make care effective and provide visiting family with peace of mind. Here are some of the safest cities found throughout New Hampshire:

(source: safewise.com)

New Hampshire's Home Care Regulations & Laws

In the state of New Hampshire, home health care agencies are required to be licensed and follow the 1993 Bill of Rights for patients. They must also provide one or more health or therapeutic services. The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services licenses and regulates home health care agencies in the state. 

Payment Options for New Hampshire Home Care

Paying for home care in New Hampshire can be achieved in several ways, each based on what can work the best for your unique situation. 

To start, 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. 

U.S. veterans can receive assistance for home care by using the Improved Pension or Homebound and Aid & Attendance Pension through the Veterans' Association or by contacting your local Area Agency on Aging. 

Most of the time, seniors will choose to pay for their home care privately using their own savings, assets, or pensions. Other options include reverse mortgages, opening a home equity line of credit, or converting a life insurance policy to cash. 

Last but not least, Medicaid is a joint federal and state insurance program for low-income seniors and their families that in most cases can be used to cover the costs of home care if it is deemed medically necessary. Check your state's specific requirements for eligibility and the benefits available. 

Senior & Elderly Rights for Home Care in New Hampshire

Seniors receiving home care from a Medicare-approved home health agency retain a series of guaranteed rights and protections with the intention of keeping your needs met. Before receiving home care in any form, it is required that the home health care agency provides you with information detailing your rights. You’ll be informed that you reserve the right to choose your own home care agency (pending a managed care plan if applicable), and to decide what services (medical or non-medical) you want to participate in. Your personal privacy and property are to be respected at all times in circumstances that it does not interfere with necessary medical attention. 

Some may reach a point where they are unable to make decisions regarding their own medical care — luckily, a family member or legal guardian can step in as an advocate 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 a violation of these rights has occurred, reach out to an elder law professional to understand what actions may be possible. 

NH Home Care: Medical Record Rules & Regulations

Seniors receiving home care in New Hampshire have the right to obtain copies of their medical records and other protected health information. Although health care workers may mistakenly argue that these records cannot be released due to privacy laws, this is a common misconception.

While some cases warrant the denial releasing your information, your healthcare provider must respect your requests and respond within 30 days, or as many as 60 days later including a statement addressing the delay.