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Most people as they get older prefer to remain independent and stay in their own homes. And staying at home when possible is proven to be beneficial to both the elderly and their families. The comfort of home is reassuring, familiar, and helps people to cope with the challenges of aging better than being in the hospital or extended care facilities. Luckily, there are many options when it comes to planning a home health care strategy for yourself or a loved one.

There are many types of home care assistance available. From simple personal care assistance, to meal preparation and mobility options, many resources are available to you for planning your home health care situation, depending on your needs.

Personal care: If you’re having trouble bathing, dressing, or washing your hair, you could ask a friend or relative to help. A Certified Health Aide can also be a valuable resource.

Meal preparation and sharing: If you have trouble preparing healthy meals, or are just tired of eating alone, check with your neighbors and friends. Perhaps you could arrange to share dinner once a week, or enjoy a night out together. Your church, synagogue, or mosque may have senior meal programs where you can enjoy the company of others. And there are hot meal programs that deliver directly to your home.

Homemaking chores: There are many grocery stores and drycleaners who can deliver. Look for lawn services and cleaning services to lessen your physical load. And a Certified Health Aide can perform many light housekeeping tasks.

Medical: You may need medical home care from a nurse or CNA. A State Tested Nurse Aide can perform many of the functions of a registered nurse, and works under the direction of a nurse or nursing facility. If you or your loved one needs medical care and wishes to stay at home, a CNA could be the ideal option for you. You can expect reasonable costs and flexibility when you use the services of an CNA.

Resources:You can get more information on many of these services from your local Area Agency on Aging, local and State offices on aging or social services,or nearby senior center.Or check out the following websites for more information:

-www.medicare.gov.  Clicking on “Long-Term Care Planning” in the “Resource Locator” takes you to the “Long-Term Care Planning Tool.”

-www.govbenefits.gov. If you can’t get to a computer, call 1-800-FED-INFO (1-800-333-4636/toll-free) for the same kind of help.

-www.benefitscheckup.org from the National Council on Aging, to find out about any benefits you’re entitled to.