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Custodial care

Custodial care

Nonskilled personal care, like help with activities of daily living (ADLs) like bathing, dressing, eating, getting in or out of a bed or chair, moving around, and using the bathroom. It may also include the kind of health-related care that most people do themselves, like using eye drops. In most cases, Medicare doesn’t pay for custodial care.

Nonskilled personal care, like help with activities of daily living (ADLs) like bathing, dressing, eating, getting in or out of a bed or chair, moving around, and using the bathroom. It may also include the kind of health-related care that most people do themselves, like using eye drops. In most cases, Medicare doesn’t pay for custodial care.

  • Custodial care refers to nonskilled, personal care services that help seniors with ADLs. Examples of custodial care include assistance with bathing, dressing, toileting, and eating.
  • Custodial care is not covered by traditional Medicare (Parts A and B). This means that beneficiaries must pay out-of-pocket for these services or seek coverage through other sources, such as a long-term care insurance policy.
  • However, there are some exceptions to this rule. Medicare may cover custodial care in certain situations, such as when it is provided in conjunction with skilled nursing or rehabilitation services. For example, if a beneficiary is recovering from a hip replacement surgery and needs assistance with bathing and dressing, Medicare may cover these services as part of the rehabilitation process.
  • It is important for seniors to understand their coverage options for custodial care. Many seniors rely on custodial care as they age and may need to plan financially for these expenses.
  • There are several ways that seniors can pay for custodial care, including:
  • Private pay: Paying for custodial care out-of-pocket.
  • Long-term care insurance: Some long-term care insurance policies cover custodial care services.
  • Medicaid: Medicaid, a joint federal and state prog

Understanding custodial care is essential for individuals planning long-term care arrangements, especially seniors and those with chronic illnesses or disabilities. While custodial care is crucial for maintaining quality of life and independence, it's typically not covered by traditional Medicare (Parts A and B). Recognizing this distinction helps individuals explore alternative coverage options and plan for potential long-term care needs effectively.

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