Home Care Powered By AUAF

Elena and Brooks explain non-medical home care for seniors in Chicago: what a caregiver does, how it differs from home health care, why companionship matters, how to choose an agency and how families pay. Non-medical home care is help with daily living at home: personal care, meals, light housekeeping, laundry, errands and companionship. Home health care is medical care, such as skilled nursing or...

Elena and Brooks ask whether private home care is the right choice for your loved one: what it includes, how it compares with assisted living and home health, who pays, and how to choose an agency. Private home care is non-medical help at home: personal care, meals, light housekeeping, errands and companionship. Caregivers give medication reminders, not medication. A personalized care plan sets th...

Elena and Brooks explain why elderly care can be so important: daily help at home, fall prevention, personalized care plans, emotional well-being and support for family caregivers. Caregivers help with bathing, meals, medication reminders, rides, light housekeeping and companionship; they give non-medical help only. CDC older adult falls data (2023 report): over 14 million adults 65 and older, abo...

Elena and Brooks explain what caregivers do for the elderly: personal care, meals, medication reminders, errands, home safety and companionship, plus the difference between home health and in-home care. Personal care covers bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting and moving safely around the home. Non-medical caregivers give medication reminders, but they do not give medication or change doses. CDC...

Elena and Brooks explain Illinois Medicaid paid caregiver programs: how the Community Care Program (CCP) works, who qualifies, who can be the paid caregiver, and how hours and pay are set. CCP serves Illinois residents 60 and older with $17,500 or less in non-exempt assets (Illinois Department on Aging). Eligibility, services and hours are decided by your Care Coordination Unit, not by the agency....

Elena and Brooks explain how much family members get paid for caregiving in Illinois, who sets the hours, who can be hired, and when paid care begins. Family members hired by Home Care Powered by AUAF as home care aides currently earn $21 an hour (as of October 2026). Total pay depends on the hours in the plan of care, which the Care Coordination Unit sets. A spouse, power of attorney, or represen...

Elena and Brooks explain why caregivers cannot bring or transfer clients to a home care agency in Illinois, and what to do if you already care for a loved one. Under the Community Care Program, the participant chooses the provider, and the Care Coordination Unit handles any change. A family member, friend, neighbor, or legal guardian can be hired as an HCA of Choice if they qualify. A spouse, powe...

Elena and Brooks walk through the Illinois Medicaid income limit for 2026 and what it means for families planning home care for a parent through the Community Care Program. AABD Medical, which covers seniors 65 and older, is $1,330 a month for one person and $1,803 for a couple in 2026. Countable assets must stay at $17,500 or less; the home, one car and personal belongings are usually exempt. Spe...

Elena and Brooks walk through recreational sports for seniors: why sports help older adults, how to pick safe options, the best low-impact sports, senior games, sports gear, and how to start slowly. The CDC advises adults 65 and older to get at least 150 minutes of moderate activity a week, plus strength and balance work (checked October 2026). Pickleball, golf, bowling, tai chi and water aerobics...

Elena and Brooks explain what home care services are, the main types of non-medical home care, how home care differs from home health care, and how Illinois families pay for care. Home care is non-medical help that lets an older adult keep living at home: personal care, homemaker services, companionship and respite. Home health care is a separate medical service, such as nursing or therapy, that a...

Elena and Brooks walk through caregiver support groups in the Chicago area: in-person, virtual and condition-specific groups, free help lines, and how to choose the right group. The Alzheimer's Association Illinois Chapter offers groups by webinar, phone or in person, and a 24-hour Helpline at 800.272.3900. NAMI Chicago runs virtual family support groups, and says all of its support groups ar...

Wandering can create serious safety concerns for families caring for a senior with dementia at home. This episode explains how familiar routines, family involvement, scheduled home care, and changing supervision needs can all factor into a safer care plan. What dementia-related wandering can look like How familiar routines can support daily life Ways scheduled home care can provide companionship a...

Living with diabetes can make everyday routines more challenging for some older adults. This episode explains how non-medical home care can support seniors with daily activities while diabetes treatment and medical decisions remain with qualified healthcare professionals. How caregivers support everyday routines The role of medication reminders How caregivers assist with meal preparation Personal...

Elena and Brooks explain who can be a paid caregiver in Illinois, from spouses and adult children to friends and neighbors, and how the Community Care Program and the Home Services Program differ. Community Care Program providers may hire a spouse, relative, friend, or neighbor as a home care aide (Illinois Department on Aging). Not every in-home service provider hires family members, so choose on...

Elena and Brooks explain whether Medicare can pay a family member to be a caregiver in Illinois, what Medicare home health actually covers, and where Illinois families can find paid in-home help instead. Medicare does not pay relatives for caregiving, and it does not cover custodial or 24-hour care at home. Medicare home health covers part-time skilled nursing and therapy for homebound patients, a...

Dementia care at home can help Schaumburg seniors remain in familiar surroundings while receiving support with everyday activities. This episode explains what scheduled home care can provide, how different care options compare, and what families should consider as a loved one’s needs change. What dementia care at home can include How personal care supports daily routines Why companionship and fami...

Is family caregiver pay taxable in Illinois? Elena and Brooks explain when Medicaid waiver pay can be left out of federal income tax, which taxes may still apply, and how families report it. Why caregiver pay is usually taxable income The shared-home rule for Medicaid waiver payments under IRS Notice 2014-7 How the Illinois Persons who are Elderly waiver fits in When Social Security and Medicare t...

COPD can make everyday activities more tiring and challenging for some older adults. This episode explains how non-medical home care can support seniors living with COPD while respiratory treatment, oxygen therapy, and medical decisions remain with qualified healthcare professionals. How caregivers help with everyday activities Personal care support for daily routines Meal preparation and light ho...

Living with a heart condition can make everyday activities more challenging for some older adults. This episode explains how non-medical home care can support seniors with daily routines while doctors and cardiologists continue to manage cardiovascular treatment and medical decisions. How caregivers support everyday activities Personal care assistance with daily routines Meal preparation based on...

The Illinois Community Care Program may allow eligible family members and friends to get paid for providing care to an older adult at home. This episode explains how CCP caregiver pay works, who may qualify, and what families should expect from assessment through payroll. Who may qualify as a paid caregiver through CCP How caregiver pay rates and approved hours are determined Why caregivers work t...

A Power of Attorney may be eligible to become a paid family caregiver in Illinois under the Community Care Program, depending on program requirements. This episode explains how POA status fits with paid caregiving and what families should know before applying. When a POA may qualify as a paid caregiver Who can provide paid family care in Illinois Background check and training requirements Why POA...

Living with cancer can make everyday routines more difficult, especially for older adults managing treatment and fatigue. This episode explains how non-medical home caregivers can provide practical daily support while cancer treatment and medical decisions remain with the healthcare team. How cancer can affect everyday support needs Ways caregivers assist with personal care and daily routines How...

A 2026 survey found that 90% of seniors report at least one social barrier affecting healthy aging, while nearly 70% face challenges remaining safely and independently at home. This episode explores the survey findings and how non-medical home care can help address common gaps in daily support. What the 2026 aging in place survey found Why nearly 70% of seniors report challenges at home How limite...

Dementia care at home in Glenview, IL can help seniors remain in familiar surroundings while receiving personalized support with everyday activities. This episode explains how in-home dementia care works, what caregivers can help with, and when families may need to consider additional care options. What dementia care at home can include How personalized care plans support changing needs Why famili...

Supporting stroke recovery at home can involve new routines, home safety changes, rehabilitation support, and emotional care. This episode explains how families can help a stroke survivor at home while following the recovery plan provided by doctors and therapists. What families should expect during post-stroke recovery How to recognize stroke warning signs and when to seek emergency help Home saf...