Family Resource Home Care: Introduction & Benefits

Family resource home care describes professional solutions available in the home to help care for an aging mom, a child with special needs, or someone recovering from illness or injury. These include personal care at home, companion services, and skilled nursing and can be customized to almost any family situation.

Choosing the right care for someone dear is one of the hardest decisions a person can make. Whether an aging parent is staying in the home, a child with special needs, or a family member recuperating from surgery—it can feel impossible to find reliable help on demand while managing careers and raising children.

That's where a home care family resource comes in.

Family resource home care includes a wide variety of services to provide professional help at home. Home care provides skilled caregivers, therapists, nurses, and support workers to those who need it most rather than relocating a loved one to a facility. This keeps the person receiving care in a familiar, comfortable place—and it relieves the family who surrounds them.

This guide covers what family resource home care does, who benefits most from it, how to find the best provider for you, and the right questions to ask before signing a contract. Ideal for those who are just beginning to research care options for a loved one.

What is a family resource home care?

Home care is a spectrum of support—it is not one service. Depending on the agency or provider, services fall into two general types: household care (or nonmedical home health) solutions and skilled home health treatment.

Non-Medical Home Care Services

Non-medical home care provides daily living support and companionship services, delivered by a certified home health aide (CHHA) or in-home personal care assistant (PCA). Common services include:

• Assist with bathing, dressing, grooming, and hygiene

• Mobility aid: Help in the home to move around safely

• Meal prep: Planning and preparing healthy meals based on dietary requirements.

• Basic housework: Washing, putting away stuff in storage, and cleaning the house to make it safer

• Transportation: Escorting clients to medical appointments or grocery shopping

• Company: Social interaction, discussions, and emotional support

Non-medical home care is often the best first option for families involved with aging parents who are relatively independent but need help in their day-to-day activities.

Skilled Home Health Care Services

Skilled home health care—licensed medical professionals provide clinical-level care in the home. A physician typically orders this type of care, and Medicare or Medicaid may cover some home health care. Services typically include:

• Home visits by a Registered Nurse (RN): Wound care, medication management & health check-ups

• Physical Therapy: Recovering mobility and strength after surgery or illness

• Occupational therapy: Focus on relearning daily tasks and enhancing home safety

• Speech therapy: For your communication or swallowing issues

• Social work in medical: Helps families coordinate care, connect to, or access community resources for support.

The National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) estimates that more than 12 million Americans receive home health care from over 33,000 providers each year. That number is steadily increasing as families opt for in-home care instead of institutional settings.

Family Resource Home Care can help just about anyone, but certain groups benefit most.

Home care services are versatile, allowing you to combine different services as needed. Still, some groups are better off than others.

Older Adults Who Want to Live at Home

According to AARP, 90% of adults over 65 want to stay in their own homes as they age. Family resource home care helps many achieve that goal. Caregivers can visit regularly to provide the support they need to age independently, but with important safety precautions in place.

Download PDF for more readers: People with disabilities or chronic illnesses

The support required by adults and children living with a physical or developmental disability may be individualized and dependent on the severity of issues presented over the long term. Disability services—including home care offerings—are used by family resource home care agencies, which have plans that adapt over time to the person's needs, ensuring people stay at the center of their own care.

Post-Hospital Recovery Patients

Patients who have undergone surgery, strokes, or serious illness often need short-term expert home health care after discharge from hospitals. Home health serves as a bridge after discharge, lowering readmission risk while supporting continued recovery. A 2022 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that former patients who later accessed home health care had substantially lower 30-day readmission rates than those without access.

Family Caregivers Experiencing Burnout

According to the National Alliance for Caregiving, about 53 million Americans are providing informal care for a family member. Caregiver burnout is a crisis widely reported and associated with mental health problems (depression), physical illness, and lower quality of life. Hiring professional home health care—even part-time—can relieve stress, provide respite, and help families care for their family members long-term without sacrificing their own wellness.

Finding a Family Resource Home Care Provider

Not all home care agencies are created equal—approach choosing a provider with the same seriousness as any other major family choice.

Start with a Needs Assessment

Be specific with the type of support you need before reaching out to agencies. Ask:

Will the care need medical supervision, or will help with daily living be enough?

What are the daily or weekly hours of care required?

What about specific conditions such as dementia, Parkinson's, or following a stroke? Do they require special training?

What is a realistic budget, and what funding sources are available for it?

If it's unclear, a geriatric care manager or social worker can ensure families complete a formal needs assessment.

Verify Licensing and Accreditation

Licensing for home care agencies varies by state. Confirm the provider has the appropriate state license. Medicare certification is the most important way to show that home health care agencies meet federal health and safety standards.

Another signifier of quality is accreditation from groups like The Joint Commission or the Community Health Accreditation Partner (CHAP).

Ask Specific Questions Before Hiring

In your first round of calls with agencies, you can ask straight-up questions:

What are the screening, training, and supervision processes for caregivers?

Q: What about when a caregiver who is scheduled to work cannot show up?

How is the care plan developed, and how often does it get reviewed?

How do you raise concerns or find an alternative caregiver?

Are there any minimum hours we need to work each week?

Clear, assured responses are a positive sign. Beware of vague or evasive answers.

Check References and Online Reviews

Ask agencies for references from current or former customers. Use real-world data from forums such as Google and Yelp, or the Medicare Home Health Compare tool, to evaluate provider performance. Focus on comments related to reliability, communication style, and quality of care.

How Much Does Family Resource Home Care Cost?

Cost—Of course, this is the most common barrier we hear from families. Financial planning is easier when expectations are clear and realistic.

Based on Genworth's 2023 Cost of Care Survey, the national median hourly cost for a home health aide is about $27 per hour. That equates to around $5,148 monthly for full-time care (44 hours a week). Costs also vary widely geographically, with urban markets and states like California and New York trending upward.

Who Pays for Home Care?

Sources of funding for home care include:

Medicare: For skilled home health services (nursing and therapy) when prescribed by a physician and medically necessary. Does NOT Cover Custodial Personal Care

Medicaid: Medicaid provides coverage for a wide range of home and community-based services available to eligible low-income individuals. Coverage varies by state.

LONG-TERM-CARE INSURANCE: Benefits and exclusions differ dramatically; examine the terms of any policy now in force.

Veterans' benefits: Though they vary, the VA has multiple programs that may help—like PCAFC, or the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (which can provide home care support to qualifying veterans).

Private pay: Families that do not qualify for public programs must pay out of pocket. Certain agencies have a sliding scale based on need.

Local Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) can link families with funding options and local support programs. You can use the Eldercare Locator ACL. Visit https://www.AAA.com/referral/gov to find your closest AAA location.

Advice on how to succeed with Home Care for your family

Even the best caregiver won't do well without an environment that supports proper care. Here are a few ways to ensure home care arrangements run smoothly.

Communicate openly and often. Set up a regular check-in with the caregiver and the agency. Speak up early if something isn't working, whether it's a scheduling issue or a care approach that doesn't fit.

Involve the person receiving care. When possible, consider the recipient's perspective when making decisions. Comfort and cooperation can depend on preferences about routines, food, activities, and caregiver gender.

Create a care binder. Have a central folder containing important documents such as medical history, medication list, emergency contacts, insurance information, and the care plan conveniently available in the home. You'll refer to it often as a caregiver, and it is critical in emergencies.

Reassess the plan regularly. Needs evolve. What works at the start of a home care arrangement may need tweaks after three or six months. Schedule formal care plan reviews with the agency at least twice per year or sooner if there are significant status changes.

Deciding whether home care is right for you

Not every circumstance is right for home care. When someone you love needs 24-hour skilled nursing care, or when safety problems at home cannot be handled adequately, a residential care facility may be a more appropriate option. Select home care when independence, personal comfort, and in-home involvement of family and friends are critical, and the necessary level of care can be provided safely in a home environment.

Home care is a serious compromise for many families, offering professional, regular support without compromising dignity and proximity.

FAQ About Family Resource Home Care

What is home care vs. home health care?

Home care usually means assistance with daily living tasks that do not require medical expertise, like bathing, meal preparation, and companionship. Home healthcare comprises licensed practitioners—nurses and therapists—who deliver clinical services to humans at home. Depending on the need, both can be included in an overall family-sourced home care plan.

Q: Are family resource home care services covered by Medicare?

When medically necessary and ordered by a physician, Medicare covers skilled home health care (nursing, physical therapy, or occupational therapy). It does not include non-medical personal care or companionship services. Coverage rules are specific; confirm eligibility with a Medicare adviser or the home health agency before receiving services.

How to tell if a home care agency is reputable?

Verify they have state licensing, Medicare certification, and accreditation from organizations such as the Joint Commission or CHAP. How Does the Agency Screen and Train Caregivers? Ask directly how the agency screens and trains caregivers, and always ask for client references. You can use Medicare's Home Health Compare tool at Medicare.gov. Quality ratings for certified agencies are another feature provided by the government.

Just because a child has a disability does not change the fact that home care services can still be provided.

Yes. Family resource home care agencies mainly provide services only to children and young adults who are physically, developmentally, or intellectually disabled. This can include help with daily living skills and provide therapeutic support. In many states, Medicaid waiver programs fund services for qualifying families.

What to do if you are unhappy with a caregiver?

Contact the agency when a situation calls for it. Any place with a good reputation will try to fix things: new training for the caregiver, setting up a mediated conversation, or even assigning another person. No family should ever be stuck in a situation that isn't working.

How soon can home care start?

Most agencies can schedule an initial assessment in 24–48 hours and start services soon after. First, you need a physician's order if covered by Medicare for home health care, which could delay the process by a bit. In an emergency, contact the agencies directly for expedited intake options.

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