(BPT) - There truly is no place like home. It is our haven, filled with our favorite things. It is comfortable and familiar. It makes sense, then, that receiving healthcare at home is sometimes viewed more positively than in a clinical setting.
While some procedures and screenings still need to be conducted elsewhere, increasingly, caregivers and those who receive care are looking to tap into the benefits of at-home care. Not only is it convenient, but it can also be more personalized and cost-effective. It also helps older adults maintain independence as they can manage scheduling without needing to arrange transportation.
Fortunately, there are a growing number of ways individuals can manage their healthcare needs, whether independently or with the help of a caregiver, from the comfort of home. AARP members can take advantage of member benefits that can help them bring healthcare home and even save money while doing so.
Stay healthy at home
Focusing on preventive care is a great step toward avoiding urgent off-site appointments with a physician. Regular visits with a primary care provider can help monitor for any issues and even help prevent future ailments.
Oak Street Health provides personalized care for older adults on Medicare, designed to help you stay healthy and independent. AARP members and non-members get same-day/next-day appointments where available, a dedicated care team, and a 24/7 patient support line. Oak Street Health has over 240 primary care doctor offices across 27 states.
Improve balance from your basement
Physical therapy can be an important part of recovery, overcoming an ongoing ailment or simply improving balance, flexibility or strength. For many older adults, scheduling physical therapy sessions might require coordinating with a family member or caregiver, especially if they are unable to drive.
Fortunately, AARP members and non-members alike can take advantage of physical therapy without leaving home through AARP® Physical Therapy At Home™ by Luna. Not only is it simple and convenient, but by receiving therapy in a personal setting, you're more likely to continue doing the exercises on your own. It can feel easier to mirror your therapist's instructions when the surroundings are the same, and you're likely to feel more comfortable doing so than if the setting were to change. Most insurances and Medicare are accepted by Luna and a prescription may not be needed to start.
Confidently enjoy self-care
Some tools help make caring for yourself at home even easier. If you are on a complex medication regimen, tools like Hero Smart Pill Dispenser, which stores, sorts and dispenses up to a 90-day supply of 10 different medications, can keep you on track. The connected medication management app helps you manage medication routines, track your supply and understand your adherence. AARP members get exclusive savings on a Hero subscription.
Lifeline medical alert systems also allow you to be at home independently, without fear of what to do in an emergency. Lifeline systems connect you to a trained care specialist with just the press of a button. Members save 15% on medical alert service and get free shipping and activation. You can select the service option that fits your lifestyle and get fast, 24/7/365 access to help when you need it.
Look ahead to long-term care
For some, the ability to stay at home even when additional care becomes necessary is especially important. Long-term care coverage can help do just that, providing access to services that can help you meet medical and non-medical care needs if you are unable to manage them yourself. Reviewing information on long-term care options can help you prepare for the future with customized solutions to help protect your assets and lifestyle.
While every healthcare journey is different, the growing number of in-home options provides even greater flexibility in how to provide and receive care. To learn more about these and other ways to manage health at home, visit aarp.org/benefits.
AARP and its affiliates are not insurers, agents, brokers or producers. AARP member benefits are provided by third parties, not by AARP or its affiliates. Providers pay a royalty fee to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. Some provider offers are subject to change and may have restrictions. Please contact the provider directly for details.