More and more seniors are choosing to age in place. After all, who doesn’t want to grow old in their own home? It’s where you feel most comfortable and secure.
As ideal as it may seem, aging in place can be a significant source of concern for family members when their elderly loved one has difficulties with domestic responsibilities and activities of daily living.
Are you concerned about your loved one’s ability to live independently or your growing responsibilities as their caregiver? Why not consider home care services for the elderly?
These in-home care benefits will help you decide if it’s the right option, not only for your senior loved one but also for everybody concerned:
1. Provide a more personalized level of care.
Residents of senior care facilities are often required to adhere to rigid schedules and care routines. With home care, however, the care services are tailored to the specific needs and timetable of the client. Your elderly loved one will get the help and care they need any time they need it.
The in-home care setting also provides caregivers and their patients the opportunity to develop a strong bond that could prove valuable for aging seniors.
2. Allow seniors the benefits of caring companionship.
Seniors who live alone, especially those with health or mobility issues, are more likely to suffer from depression. Thus, the company of a live-in or in-home caregiver could be very beneficial to their physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
Social interaction has been shown to boost vitality in the elderly. Seniors who have someone to converse with, eat with, and keep them company are happier and healthier.
3. Access to skilled medical care and help with medication management.
Most elderly people take a variety of prescription medications on a daily basis, making it difficult for them to keep track of everything on their own. With a care professional by their side, you can rest assured knowing that they’re taking their meds on time and as recommended.
Home care agencies can also provide licensed nurses and certified health care professionals, should your senior loved one need it.
4. Assistance with ADLs (Activities of Daily Living).
In-home caregivers assist seniors with everyday chores and hygienic routines such as grooming, bathing, and light housekeeping so that they can maintain a good standard of living.
Aside from that, home care also has the added benefit of allowing elderly clients the privilege of owning or keeping their pets, which is not allowed in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Like social interactions, pet companionship also helps improve vitality in older people.
5. Help ensure that seniors get the nutrition they need.
People over the age of 60, particularly those with long-term health issues, have more specific and demanding nutritional needs.
Old age, prolonged bed rest, and diseases can lead to malnutrition and loss of body mass. A senior’s home care plan may also include meal preparation and dietary counseling to ensure that patients get the nourishment they need to live healthily.
6. Give seniors a sense of independence.
Approximately 90% of seniors prefer to age in place. They believe that living out their final years in their own homes is the most convenient and comfortable option. Many seniors are reluctant to move into a nursing home or care facility in fear of losing their independence.
Spending old age at home allows seniors to live the life they’re used to and keeps them engaged with their community, but you can’t dispute the fact that being on their own could be very challenging for them. Having a caregiver by their side helps ensure their safety and security without taking too much of their independence.
7. Cost-effective alternative to care facilities.
Hiring a home care professional is generally less expensive than living in a nursing home or assisted living facility. Home care rates are around $15 – $25 per hour, depending on whether the client needs non-medical, home health care, and skilled care. On the other hand, care facilities for seniors can cost $200 – $500 a day.
With home care, your senior family member receives quality one-on-one care without breaking the bank.
8. Get to spend more time with the family.
Choosing home care means you can visit your senior loved one anytime and spend as much quality time with them as you want, without being limited by rules or visitation hours.
Nothing beats family as a source of support and strength. This is true for many of us, but even more so for seniors nearing the end of their lives. This is, perhaps, the best thing about in-home care: it allows you to play a more significant role in the care plan of your aging family members.
Author Bio:
Sarah Keller is the Content Marketing Strategist of A To Z Home Care, a team of professional home care providers based in Phoenix, Arizona that specializes in long-term care for your loved ones. She enjoys riding horses and camping with her friends and family in her spare time.
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