Home Care in Nebraska

Home Care in Nebraska - Cost Comparison

Nebraska has senior home care agencies with services available through nurses, social workers, therapists, health aides, and anyone else needed. Home care is for seniors who need specialized medical care, but there is still an option for those that need help around the house called personal care. Professional services can be available through visits a few hours per week or on call 24 hours a day. The point of both is to allow seniors the option to live in their home independently.

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

• Highest Cost: Lincoln $4,481
• Lowest Cost: Grand Island $4,164

Recreation & Attractions in Nebraska

Nebraska has many fun and exciting attractions to be seen such as the Pioneer Village, Heartland of America Park, Sunken Gardens, the Creighton Orpheum Theatre, and much more. The Pioneer Village is a museum dedicated to displaying the pioneer lifestyle and historic buildings. As a popular destination for walking and picnicking, The Heartland of America Park also has a huge fountain that can perform water acrobatics 300 feet in the air with a light show at night. A great place to visit for a night out of quality showmanship is The Creighton Orpheum Theatre. This theater has all kinds of different shows including plays, comedy acts, music shows, dances, and more.

As a less-mobile senior, there are still many places to go and things to see in Nebraska. Senior centers throughout the state that provide senior-friendly activities such as trivia, dancing, games, and clubs. Specialized senior trips are also available to places such as the Henry Doorly Zoo, Sunken Gardens, or Fort Robinson State Park.

Nebraska's Climate, Geography & Culture

The climate in Nebraska is divided with the east being more humid, and the west being much drier. Nebraska gets slightly less rain and more snow than the rest of the U.S., averaging a respective 26 and 28 inches annually. The average summer high temperatures found across the whole state are around 89 degrees with an average low in the winter of 12 degrees. There are a significant number of sunny days during the year with an average of 223.

Nebraska’s culture celebrates its rural spaces and abundance of nature. As one of the least populated states, much of the space is made up of huge ranches and farms. The lives of many residents revolve around the land and they have a deep appreciation for it. The biggest city in the state, Omaha, still has a small town feel and the lifestyle is relaxed. Many of the residents enjoy outdoor recreation and summers are filled with fishing, boating, biking, and hiking, and hunting beginning in the fall.

Crime & Safety in Nebraska

Locating home care in Nebraska can be an easier process when you consider which areas are generally safer than others. Not only will a safe community help you or a loved one's care be more effective, but it ensures any visiting family has a pleasant experience as well. Listed here are some of the safest communities found throughout Nebraska:

Nebraska's Home Care Regulations & Laws

In the state of Nebraska, a home health agency must provide skilled nursing and at least one other therapeutic service. An agency can receive a license and then a Medicare certification from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. According to federal legislation (42 CFR 484.36), Medicare-certified home health agencies are required to employ only health aides who have been trained and evaluated by the approved programs of their state of practice.

A standard 75 hours of training, along with 16 hours of supervised clinical training and an additional 12 hours of continuing education every 12 months is needed to maintain a home care certification.

Payment Options for Nebraska Home Care

Paying for home care is possible through a variety of different methods, with some more financially plausible than others. After you’ve determined the general price of home care near you, understanding how to pay is next. 

It is important to note that 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. 

For veterans of the U.S., the Improved Pension and Homebound and Aid & Attendance Pension may be used to help pay for or cover the entire costs of home care. To apply for these benefits, contact your local Veteran’s Association or Area Agency on Aging for more details and eligibility requirements. 

Many seniors will choose to pay privately with their own savings, pensions, reverse mortgage, home equity lines of credit, or by converting their life insurance policies to cash. 

Finally, Medicaid is another joint state and federally funded insurance program available to low-income families and their loved ones. Each state has its own specific rules, eligibility requirements, and benefits so it's important to review Nebraska's available services through Medicaid.

Senior & Elderly Rights for Home Care in Nebraska

As a senior receiving home care from a Medicare-approved home health agency in Nebraska, you retain various rights and guaranteed protections. When beginning with your care, it is required that the home health agency’s caretaker provides you with a written copy of your rights. They will inform you that you reserve the right to choose your own health agency and the services you are to receive. 

Caretakers are to treat you and your personal property with respect at all times, minding your preferences for privacy when necessary. You also retain your Constitutional rights and those afforded to you by the Bill of Rights as a citizen of the United States. Contact a lawyer versed in elder law if you believe your rights have been violated. 

Nebraska Home Care: Medical Record Rules & Regulations

Seniors receiving home care in Nebraska have the right to obtain copies of their medical records and other protected health information. It’s a common misconception that this information cannot be disclosed due to privacy laws, however, 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. If your records have not been released to you in under 30 days, health care providers are required to provide you with a statement detailing the delay or denial of your information.