Peter Sosnow, Integration Leader for Humana at Home, was literally born into a home care family. His father, Larry, started Patient Care, Inc., a home health care company providing services in New York and New Jersey. Because of his family’s background in the industry, it seems only natural that Sosnow would choose home health as a career path.
In his current role at Humana at Home, Sosnow works to help people understand, manage, and master the difficulties of old age. While Sosnow’s work is primarily focused on how Humana’s clients can remain safe and cared for in the comfort of their own homes, his insights into the home care industry are valuable for anyone who might be caring for a senior loved one and investigating senior care options.
Today, if your senior loved one wishes to age at home, in-home care can be personalized to accommodate most any situation. No matter if your senior loved one needs help with several activities of daily living, medication reminders, or transportation to medical appointments — professionally-trained, in-home caregivers provide a valuable service for an ever-increasing population of seniors.
If, however, your senior loved one has a chronic health condition or has a complicated care situation, it may be beneficial to consider the services of a care manager. Care managers can help families by developing a comprehensive and integrated care plan which include regular communication to help navigate the health care system.
The model for care managers which is utilized by Humana and others in the industry — integrating the work of a hands-on caregiver with the expertise of a nurse and social worker — was pioneered by Sosnow’s father.
Care managers are vital members of a care team and can assist families by:
- attending medical appointments, helping to interpret medical information
- providing information about medication management
- advocating for appropriate services, including home health and hospice
- navigating challenging family dynamics
- and much more
Just recently, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have proposed non-skilled in-home care supports to be included as a supplemental benefit in Medicare Advantage plans in 2019. This also includes portable wheelchair ramps and other assistive devices and modifications when needed by patients. For Sosnow and others in the home care field, this is a move in the right direction and demonstrates that CMS understands the benefit to seniors when they can receive care in their homes.
Another way in which home care is evolving is through technology integration. Companies like Humana are looking at innovative and creative ways to utilize artificial intelligence (AI), passive technology, and other advancements tcomplement the care provided by home health aides, nurses, and others.
Sosnow points to individuals who may need in-home assistance, but who may not want a caregiver in their home. In situations like this, technology can be utilized: a robot provides video of the senior; sensors are placed in the house, providing feedback on movement; and health data – blood sugar readings, blood pressure, etc., can be captured and reviewed by a care team. Utilizing technology in these ways adds another solution to the in-home care arsenal.
Listen to the full interview with Peter Sosnow in the Help Choose Home podcast series to learn more.
This episode and others in the series can be found on iTunes, Google Play or other listening devices.
The Help Choose Home podcast series provides information and resources to help those with a care need learn more about healthcare at home. Podcasts are hosted by Merrily Orsini, president and CEO of corecubed, a marketing firm dedicated exclusively to elder care marketing.
Help Choose Home is a collaborative effort by the National Association for Home Care and Hospice (NAHC), Axxess, and corecubedto educate the public about the many benefits of the in-home care industry, which includes non-medical home care, private duty nursing care, medical home health, hospice, and other in-home health and wellness services.