What is elder care?

Getting older is a natural part of life, and there may come a time when the senior loved ones in your family need a little extra support during their golden years. If you're currently caring for an older adult — or anticipate doing so in the near future, whether it's a grandparent, parent, or another loved one — it's important to understand the complexities of elder care. This comprehensive guide will help you prepare for the responsibilities that come with providing care for an older adult.

What is elder care?

Elder care most commonly refers to different services offered to older adults, as well as the support provided to older adults' physical, mental, and emotional well-being by their loved ones and caregivers.

Elder care may refer to different types of care and institutions depending on where you are in the world. In the United States, however, the term generally encompasses assisted living, adult day care, long-term care, nursing homes, hospice care, and home care. 

Types of elder care

Elder care covers a broad spectrum of services, which can feel overwhelming for those navigating these services for the first time. To make the topic more approachable, elder care can generally be divided into three broad categories: in-home care, community and facility-based care, and specialized care.

In-home care

Be a financially smart family!

Be a financially smart family!

From saving for the future to understanding credit, see how families are thriving with Greenlight.

Try Greenlight today

As the name suggests, in-home care allows older adults to stay in the comfort of their own homes while receiving the support they need. This approach prioritizes aging in place and enables seniors to maintain familiarity and independence while receiving assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs). There are various levels of in-home care. It can mean a family member coming over a few times a week to cook meals or ensure an older adult is taking their medication, for example. Families can also hire caregivers, like homemaker services or personal care assistance, to help with activities like cooking, cleaning, and shopping or personal care like bathing, grooming, and dressing. 

For those who require medical support, home health care services are also available, like live-in or hourly nurses. These specialized medical professionals can provide the medical assistance older adults may need.

Community and facility-based care

Community and facility-based care includes options like retirement communities, adult day care, assisted living, and nursing homes. While each is designed to provide comprehensive care for older adults, they operate in different ways and serve different needs.

For instance, adult day care provides daytime supervision for seniors who return home at night, making it ideal for families with working caregivers. Retirement communities provide comfortable environments where older adults can connect socially and enjoy an active lifestyle in their golden years without the responsibilities of home maintenance. Assisted living is ideal for senior loved ones who need more support with ADLs and some medical oversight. Nursing homes, on the other hand, are designed to provide medical support and offer 24/7 care for seniors with more pressing healthcare needs. In most cases, older adults live onsite permanently and may have access to medical professionals as part of their care.

Specialized care

Specialized care is tailored to meet specific and sometimes intensive needs. These services are often residential and focus on conditions like dementia, Alzheimer's disease, or end-of-life care. For instance, memory care units provide a secure and structured environment for people with memory-related conditions, while hospice services prioritize comfort and dignity during the final stages of life. 

How much do elder care services cost?

Elder care services can be expensive in the United States. There are many factors that influence costs, including the type of facility, the location, and optional services like amenities, residence type, or meal plans. According to a 2023 Genworth Cost of Care Study, nursing homes are the most expensive option, while community and assisted living facilities tend to be more affordable.

These averages vary based on the type of care and location. For example, areas where the cost of living is higher, like New York, will be more expensive than areas where the cost of living is lower, like Arkansas. Specialized services like memory care or hospice also tend to cost more.

Regardless, elder care can be expensive which can cause stress for families. Many families address these financial challenges through estate planning, often establishing trusts to cover elder care expenses.

Does insurance cover elder care services?

Traditional health insurance does not cover elder care. Medicare, for example, only covers services deemed medically necessary. It does not cover personal care services, like meal preparation or assistance with bathing, unless they're part of a broader medical need. It does, however, cover part-time or intermittent skilled nursing or home health aide services.

However, there are other options available to help cover the cost of elder care, too.

Medicaid

Medicaid is a joint federal and state health insurance program that supports Americans with low incomes and assets. The federal government requires that all states provide services like home health services and skilled nursing facility support. Some states may also pay for personal care. Contact your state's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) website to learn about eligibility requirements and available coverage. It may also be helpful to contact an elder law attorney who specializes in Medicaid to see what options your loved one may have. 

VA benefits

If your parent or loved one served in the armed services or was married to a veteran, they may qualify for financial aid from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The VA offers a range of healthcare benefits and pension increases for those who need in-home care. Visit the VA website to learn more.

Private insurance

Typical healthcare insurance does not cover elder care, but private insurance is still available. Many insurance providers offer long-term care insurance policies to cover skilled nursing care and custodial care, either at home or in an assisted living facility. However, these policies must be purchased in advance and often come with high premiums.

How to know when your loved one needs elder care

Your senior loved ones may not come to you directly to ask for help, even when they need it. With this in mind, it's important for you to keep an eye out for signs that may indicate that an older adult needs some extra help.

Here are some of the signs that a loved one may need support, whether with in-home care services or more robust care within an assisted living or other long-term care facility: 

• Difficulty with activities of daily living like bathing, dressing, or preparing meals

• Difficulty walking or getting around

• Poor hygiene

• Social isolation

• Cluttered or neglected home

• Neglected bills or household chores

• Difficulty managing medications

• Missed medical appointments

• New or worsening chronic symptoms

• Significant weight loss or gain

• Confusion or memory problems

• Frequent falls

• Difficulty following conversations

• Getting lost in familiar places

• Increased anxiety or agitation

• Sudden mood swings

Here are some signs that a loved one may need specialized care, such as memory care:

• Severe confusion or memory problems

• Inability to follow conversations

• Feeling lost when at home

• Propensity for violence

This is by no means an exhaustive list, but rather a guide to help you understand what to look for should you think your senior loved one may need more help. An older adult neglecting the dishes or leaving a space untidy isn't necessarily a cause for concern, but an increasingly dirty or cluttered home may be an indicator that they need a little help around the house. When you start noticing more significant mental, emotional, or physical symptoms, it may be time to have the conversation with your loved one about what care options to begin seeking out, such as more frequent in-home care or medical care services or care within an assisted living or other long-term care facility.  

As your senior loved ones age, it helps to pay attention to their physical, emotional, and cognitive health so you can notice if there are any significant changes that need to be addressed. Having a conversation with the older adults in your life proactively to learn their wishes and develop an elder care plan together can help ease the stress of transitioning into a new stage.

To learn more about family resources, visit Greenlight's Learning Center.