As your parents age, it can be difficult to watch them struggle with tasks that were once easy for them. Taking out the garbage or loading the dishwasher suddenly takes much more effort and time than it once did. 65% of seniors between 60-70 easily live independently but only 43% of those above 70 years old can actually manage independent living. This does not mean they need to move residences—most wish to remain in the comfort of their own homes. Studies show that over 80% of seniors wish to remain in their own homes while they age, regardless of their physical condition. According to AARP, 90% of seniors plan to stay in their home at least 10 more years. They may need additional help with their day to day as they age, but how much? When considering your parents’ living needs, it’s important to understand the differences between in-home care and nursing home services.
5 Reasons In-Home Care May be the Better Choice for Your Aging Loved One
1. Friends and family can be more involved
Your parents may not need 24-hour support. They may simply need help with things like bathing, light housekeeping, or meal preparation. Home care for seniors offers you the flexibility to hire a caregiver part-time, full-time, or 24 hours a day depending on the level of care they need. Care is very personalized at home. Your loved one will also receive one-on-one attention and care. This is tremendously beneficial for seniors. They can adjust to one person instead of several different caretakers and staff members at an assisted living or skilled nursing facility.
2. Flexibility to customize with caregivers
Your parents may not need 24-hour support. They may simply need help with things like bathing, cleaning the house, or cooking meals. Home care for seniors offers you the flexibility to hire a caregiver part-time, full-time, or 24 hours a day depending on the level of care they need. Care is very personalized at home. This is tremendously beneficial for seniors. They can adjust to one person instead of several nurses and doctors coming in and out of their room.
3. Familiar surroundings maintain calmness
Uprooting seniors who are established and comfortable in the home can be emotionally jarring. Moving is a stressful situation, not a relief, as they must essentially start over which is challenging for seniors. Some facilities don’t have private rooms—your mom or dad may have a roommate that they don’t know. This can be uncomfortable for them. If possible, keeping them at home is best for them mentally. They know what to expect when they walk into the kitchen, living room, or bedroom. At night, they sleep in their own bed that that they’re comfortable in. They know the neighborhood and their neighbors. They have a routine they can maintain in their home. The consistency and control over their surroundings maintain their sense of calm.
4. The freedom to keep their own pets, maintain their familiar routines, and set their own standards.
When you move into an assisted living facility or nursing home, you must play by their rules. Often, they don’t allow pets, and if they do only small pets or certain types are allowed. Giving up your pet is an understandably emotionally devastating event. This does not help your parents get better or live out their lives in happiness. Plus, it’s often not fair to the animal.
5. It is more affordable than a retirement or nursing home
When compared to the cost of an assisted living facility or nursing home, home care can be a more affordable option for many seniors. The average annual cost of one nursing home residence is $69,715.00. The average annual cost of one assisted living facility resident is $36,372.00. (Source: MetLife Market Survey of Nursing Home & Assisted Living Costs)
Seniors who wish to remain in their own homes are able to schedule care around their own needs. For example, 20 hours of home care a week with Elderlink Home Care, Inc., costs approximately $1600.00 per month or an annual cost of approximately $19,200.
Taking care of a loved one is a joy and honor. However, you may find that you need additional help and expertise to ensure needs are being met and you are able to manage and maintain things in your own life.
If you feel your loved ones need additional care let the experts at Elderlink help. We have a variety of services to fit the needs of your loved ones. Contact us today.
There are 3 comments on this post
March 19, 2018
My mother is struggling to take her of herself alone, and your article had great points about the benefits of in home care for her. I liked how you said that she can keep her pet if she has in home health care. She has a dog she loves, so I’ll keep this in mind when consider home health care for my mom.
March 19, 2018
I found it interesting what you said about how familiar surroundings maintain an elderly’s calmness. And that moving could be a stressful situation for them. My aunt is thinking of ways to help my grandmother’s needs since she’s been having some memory troubles. I think this information about how older people are used to consistency and control over their surroundings, and how it helps with their mental health, will be of great help to us.
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