Private Duty Nursing and Home Care Options: What Families Need to Know
This is a recording of a live Good Grief community workshop. Members get access to expert-led sessions where they can ask questions, connect with others, and find support.
What are your real options when a loved one needs care at home?
When a loved one needs care at home, most families default to whatever the hospital or doctor suggests, often without knowing that a whole range of options exists beyond basic Medicare home health. From direct hire caregivers and private duty nurses to care managers and hospice, each level of care comes with different costs, capabilities, and trade-offs that can significantly affect the quality of care your loved one receives.
In this workshop recap, registered nurse and Bluebird Local Nursing founder Jessie Hazelwood breaks down the full landscape of home care, what each option covers, what it costs, and what questions to ask before hiring.
What you'll learn in this video
- The signs that home care might be needed
- The different levels of care available and how they compare
- What Medicare home health actually covers and where it falls short
- What hospice covers, what families often don't know, and what to watch out for
- The difference between direct hire and agency caregivers
- What private duty nursing is and when it makes sense
- What to ask when hiring a caregiver or nurse
- How Medicare, Medicaid, and long-term care insurance factor in
- The range of facility options from independent living to nursing homes
- Why dementia makes early legal and financial planning urgent
- Your rights as a patient or family caregiver
This session and recap are for educational purposes only and are not medical or clinical advice. Care options, insurance coverage, and available resources vary by location and individual situation. It is always best to consult with a qualified healthcare professional about your specific circumstances.
The complete workshop deck, notes, and resources for this session are available in the Good Grief Community Platform.
Access the full recapWorkshop led by
Jessie Hazelwood
Registered Nurse, Founder of Bluebird Local Nursing