Helping Hand Resource Guide
Finding Home Care Services
Home care services for people with cancer can range from a nurse to assist you with home-administered treatment, to assistance with personal care and homemaking. CancerCare offers these tips for finding and arranging appropriate home care:
- Discuss your home care needs with your healthcare team. Your doctor, nurse or social worker will help you understand what type of home care you will need. If your doctor has not suggested that you receive home care, and you think you need assistance, ask! In order for certain home care services to be covered by insurance, they must be prescribed by your doctor.
- Most communities have "home health" agencies that offer home care services. Some are nonprofit (for example, Visiting Nurse Associations), which may provide low-cost or free care, while others are private agencies. Your social worker, oncology nurse, or doctor will usually know about home care agencies in your area.
- In cases where there is a need for a skilled nurse to help you at home, care at home will usually be covered by insurance, so check your insurance policy. If not, community agencies often provide services on a "sliding" payment scale that takes into account your income. Private agencies may also be willing to negotiate a lower fee if you are going to need them for a long period of time.
- The National Association for Home Care has a helpful pamphlet titled "How to Select a Home Care Agency." Their website has a home care/hospice locator with over 28,000 agencies listed to help you locate resources in your area.
- Home care services such as cooking, shopping, and personal care may be available through your local Area Agency on Aging. Also, many family service agencies, such as Catholic Charities, Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies, and Jewish Family Services have community homemaker programs. Please note these types of services are rarely covered by your health insurance.
- If you prefer to pay for private home care, check with your local church, synagogue or community organizations. Often they will know of people willing to help out in the home. It is important to check all references and to discuss payment arrangements upfront.
CancerCare social workers can answer your questions about home care and help get you the help you need. Contact us via email or call 1-800-813-HOPE (4673).
