Home care in Minnesota is one of the best options for seniors who want to remain independent in their own homes, but who can benefit from care on a regular basis. Helping with everything from instrumental tasks to more intensive medical care, it's clear why so many have chosen this care type in Minnesota. Currently, there are about 738 home care agencies in Minnesota with an average monthly cost of around $4,767.
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. Location, license type, and the amount of time required of your caregiver will affect the price of home care.
There are a number of cities throughout MN that have senior home care agencies but the median monthly cost ranges from:
City Homemaker Services Monthly Costs Home Health Aide Monthly Costs Duluth $4,076 $4,076 Mankato $4,957 $4,957 Minneapolis $4,767 $5,529 Rochester $4,576 $5,148 St. Cloud $4,195 $4,767 Rest of State $3,958 $4,195
Minnesota provides residents and visitors with numerous options for year-round recreation. This state is home to the Mall of America which features an indoor amusement park, aquarium, and a movie theater. If you're feeling like you need some fresh air, try checking out the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden with large works of art by many famous artists. For the more adventurous spirits, Minnehaha Park features a waterfall which freezes during the winter to produce an incredible sight.
If you're less mobile than before, Minnesota has a large number of options for seniors throughout the state. There are senior centers throughout the state that provide senior-friendly activities such as exercise classes, games, book clubs, and technology classes. Specialized senior trips are also available to places such as the Minneapolis Institute of Art, the Minnesota Marine Art Museum, or the Mall of America.
The climate in Minnesota is known for the relative extremes resulting in very hot summers and very cold winters. Summer temperatures average 82 degrees with an average winter low around 0 degrees. Compared to other states, Minnesota gets less rain but significantly more snow, with 28 and 44 inches respectively.
Minnesotans are known to be some of the friendliest, most warm-hearted folks in the country, despite the harsh weather found throughout the state. Historically known as a farming state with a background in the lumber industry, Minnesota is home to a large number of different ethnicities and cultures. The state boasts almost year-round cultural festivals with an amazing range of foods and activities.
When you or a loved one is searching for home care in Minnesota, it can be helpful to know which areas are safer than others. Although Minnesota is relatively safe as a whole, receiving care in a crime-free environment is not only better for patients, but also for anyone who comes to visit them. Here are some of the safest cities found throughout Minnesota:
Location Violent Crimes Per 1,000 Residents Property Crimes Per 1,000 Residents St. Joseph 0.00 2.99 Winona 0.91 2.61 West Hennepin 1.09 6.00 Minnetrista 0.22 7.36
In the state of Minnesota, the Minnesota Department of Health licenses home health agencies. There are various levels that qualify the specified services that can be offered.
Licenses in Minnesota are very similar to Medicare Home Health Agency regulation, but only agencies that receive Medicare or Medicaid reimbursement must comply with Medicare home care regulations.
Additionally, Medicare-certified home health aides are required to have a federal minimum of 75 hours of training, including 16 hours of supervised practical or clinical training and 12 hours of additional education every 12 months following their licensing. Each state’s approved programs for training and evaluation are overseen by federal legislation (42 CFR 484.36) to ensure national consistency.
Paying for home care in Minnesota can be achieved in several ways, each based on what can work the best for your unique situation.
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.
Next, U.S. veterans can receive assistance for home care through benefits like the Improved Pension or Homebound and Aid & Attendance Pension. To apply you can contact your local Area Agency on Aging.
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.
Finally, Medicaid is an insurance program for low-income seniors and their families that can be used to pay for non-medical home care, home health care, and other home support programs. Since Medicaid rules are state-specific, your eligibility and benefits will change based on location.
A patient of a home health care agency in MN has rights like other healthcare providers. Their privacy should be respected, and they should also be treated fairly. Patients have the right to consent and refuse treatment, and they should be provided any information regarding changes made to the agency of the services offered. Additionally, senior home care agencies should not accept a patient if they cannot meet their needs as determined by the patient’s physician and advanced directives.
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. Remember, you still retain your rights as a United States citizen as afforded to you by the Constitution and Bill of Rights.
If you believe a violation of these rights has occurred, reach out to an elder law professional to understand what actions may be possible.
In Minnesota, medical records must be kept confidential except to those that are providing care, the Department of Health, and anyone else that has legal authorization to access. Upon request of the patient or decision maker, these records should be made available within 30 days.
Although it’s a common misconception that this information cannot be disclosed due to privacy laws, the fact is that you can submit a written request to your health care provider and actually receive copies or digital versions of this information. You are not required to provide a reason as to why you are making this request, although it is likely you’ll be charged a fee to receive your records.
