Deciding on a care option for an aging family member can be tough and overwhelming. If the idea of moving to a nursing home, an assisted living center, or a retirement community does not appeal to you or your senior loved one, home care can be the solution you are looking for.Home care assists the elderly with the physical, emotional, and routine aspects of day-to-day living with the help of a professional in-home care medical provider.
Here are the benefits of home care services:
1. One-on-one care and support
In most senior care facilities, residents have to follow specific schedules and care routines. On the other hand, home health care services are unique because they are personalized and designed around the client's needs and schedules. This means your elderly loved one can receive the support and attention they need whenever they require it.Home care plans provide one-on-one skilled care that can potentially build a strong bond between the caregiver and their clients
2. Caring companionship by skilled professionals
Research shows that social interaction helps aging adults stay healthy. As depression is quite common among seniors living alone, the daily companionship provided by an in-home caregiver can have significant positive impacts on their physical and emotional well-being. Eventually, home health aides become trusted companions for walks, meals, movies, and other social activities. They can also assist during medical appointments and quick trips to the supermarket.
3. Support with diet and nutritio
Your senior loved one needs to get the nutrition they need to stay healthy. Aging adults aged 65 and older are likely to have more demanding nutritional needs, especially if they are dealing with chronic health conditions. Moreover, aging, bed rest, and illness can lead to loss of lean body mass.Most home care plans include meal preparations and nutritional counseling to ensure that elderly family members get the nourishment they need and protect them against malnutrition.
4. Help with medication management
Most seniors are on multiple prescriptions, which can be very confusing to manage on their own. With a healthcare professional looking after your loved one at home, you assure that the right medications are taken on time and as prescribed.Moreover, home care services can deliver skilled medical care right to your doorstep. Depending on the needs of your aging loved one, you can hire licensed nurses and certified health care professionals who are knowledgeable with operating high-technology medical equipment.
5. Assistance with activities of daily living
It isn't easy to run a household when you're old and living on your own. Having a home health care aide to help with housekeeping, laundry, grocery shopping, and handyman services can take a lot of burden off your aging loved one's shoulders.Also, in-home care services provide seniors daily assistance with personal care like grooming, bathing, and other essential day-to-day activities that help them maintain a good quality of life.Another great advantage of home care is that it allows the clients the privilege of owning pets even at old age, and without having to worry about their fur-friends. Studies show that pet companionship improves vitality in older people.
6. Cost-effective alternative to nursing homes and other care facilities
Home care rates are relatively more affordable than nursing homes and assisted living centers because they're charged by the hour. Whereas residential nursing facilities can cost you hundreds of dollars per day, most home care rates average $25 - $35 an hour. Moreover, 24-hour live-in care is often subject to discounts.Choosing home care allows your aging loved one to receive quality care services without burning a hole in your pocket. You can also use long-term insurance plans to help you cover a part of the expenses.
7. Security and independence
Did you know that around 90% of seniors prefer to age at home? Most of them feel that spending old age at home is the most comfortable and least restrictive option. What's surprising, though, is that many elderlies don't want to move into a care facility because they fear losing their independence.Indeed, growing old at home allows seniors to remain engaged with their families and communities. Still, you can't deny that it will be challenging for them to be on their own. Having an in-home caregiver to watch over your loved ones will give you peace of mind so that you can go through your day without worries.
8. Keeping the family together
A strong family bond becomes even more important during old age. Having family members around provide the elderly with great emotional support.Families who choose to care for their seniors at home instead of nursing homes or other care facilities have the advantage of spending as much time as they want with their aging family members. The decision to hire a home care professional allows the whole family to become active members of your senior loved one's care plan.
Is Home Care The Right Choice for Your Aging Loved One?
Home care is a good option for seniors who are still healthy and reasonably mobile but need help with some of the more taxing or complicated aspects of daily living. It is also the ideal choice for aging couples who want to stay together when one of them requires a higher level of care.What about end-of-life care? While it's possible to provide home care at the end-of-life stage, this may pose plenty of challenges. There are situations where it's okay for seniors to receive hospice-level care at home. Some cases, however, are best taken care of in a facility. Home care encompasses a range of services, and they cover almost every aspect of care your elderly family member might need, which includes companionship, home maintenance, meal preparation, and medication reminders, to name a few.For many aging adults and their families, home care stands out among all other care options, as it affords seniors the liberty to remain at home and continue living more or less like they used to.