You may have heard about home care for seniors but don’t know what it is or why you might need it. What does home care cover? Does it mean I can no longer live alone? These are all valid questions, and you’re certainly not alone if you’re concerned.
After all, changing your living situation or even thinking about doing so can be overwhelming. It’s an order of magnitude more so when facing the loss of independence and reduced health that inevitably comes with aging. Hiring home care for seniors is often the best solution for families. Our discussion here will focus on the benefits of in-home senior care.
What Is Home Care?
Home care (sometimes called domiciliary care, social care, or in-home care) is support and health care provided to people who are living independently at home. With the help of a caregiver, you will be able to remain in your home instead of going to a senior living community or nursing home.
Home care services are available for seniors, adults with disabilities, those recovering from illness or surgery, those with chronic conditions, and people who need help with daily activities.
Many seniors and their families turn to in-home care because it allows them to maintain their independence for as long as possible. Many older adults only need a few hours of supervision each day, while others need more comprehensive care.
If you’re receiving home care because you’re recovering from an injury or illness, a skilled medical professional may provide medical services such as physical therapy, wound treatment, and injections.
If you’re receiving non-medical home care, your caregiver can assist with eating, dressing, bathing and grooming, medication reminders, and transportation.
What Are The Advantages Of Home Care?
There are numerous advantages to receiving home care. The first is that you will be able to remain in your own home, which can be a huge benefit for someone who loves their home and does not want to leave it.
Another advantage is that it can allow you to receive care for less money than if you were to move into a nursing home or assisted living facility. This can allow you to receive more care at a lower cost and is also one of the most popular ways for elderly adults to receive the high-quality care that they need.
Lastly, there are many different ways that an elderly adult can receive home care services. Whether it only be for a few hours each day or around the clock, there are numerous ways that an elderly adult can receive these services.
Reduced risk of falls and injury
When you’re a senior, you want to be able to stay in your home as long as possible. You might not be able to control every aspect of aging, but there are ways to reduce the risk of falls and injury.
- Do strength training. Build muscles and bones with weight or resistance training.
- Walk. Moving is good for the body, mind, and spirit. It’s also a way to build strength and flexibility while improving balance. Do it with friends or family members as often as possible.
- Get healthy sleep. Sleep at least seven hours each night and speak with your provider if you have trouble sleeping or wake up feeling tired.
- Be active every day, even when staying at home. Try gardening, housework, reading, playing cards or board games, or watching TV in an upright chair instead of lying down.
- Wear sturdy shoes that fit well inside and outside the home. Avoid walking barefoot or in loose slippers or socks.
- Reduce hazards around the house such as throw rugs, cords that cross walkways, and clutter on stairs
- Increase lighting throughout the house
Home Care Help And Assistance With Daily Tasks
Home care is a very broad term that describes the full range of services provided to people in their homes. Home care encompasses both medical and non-medical services in the home. Home care aides, also known as personal care aides, provide assistance to elderly persons or individuals with disabilities or chronic illnesses who are living at home.
Personal care aides perform tasks such as bathing, dressing, fixing meals, and helping with household chores. They may also assist with errands or transportation to doctor appointments.
Non-medical home care providers do not administer medications or perform medical tasks for clients. They can provide companionship, light housekeeping, and other non-medical services for people who want to live independently in their own homes but need some help to do so. They can be hired through an agency or privately by individuals and families.
Home Care Reduces Stress
Stress can be a factor at any age, but as we get older our bodies don’t handle it as well. When you have a caregiver helping with daily tasks and other needs, you can reduce the stress on your loved one’s body and mind.
If your loved one is aging or dealing with health issues, they may feel like they’ve lost control over their life and their future. This can lead to anxiety that can be difficult to treat. By giving them back some control, you can help reduce stress and improve their quality of life.
When you work with a home care agency to provide services for your loved ones, you’re letting them know that you’re there for them and that you want them to be safe and healthy. Caregivers are specially trained to help seniors stay positive about the future and their independence.
With the help of a caregiver, your loved one will begin to feel more secure in their own home and less isolated from family members and the community at large.
Home care is less expensive than a nursing home
The cost of home care may be less expensive than a nursing home. There are many reasons for this.
1. If a senior only needs a few hours of care each day, the cost of home care will be less than the cost of a nursing home because the individual is not paying for individuals to administer “around the clock” care.
2. The cost of food, utilities, and other living expenses may be lower in independent living situations rather than in an assisted living or nursing facility, especially if these expenses are covered by the resident in an assisted living situation.
3. Home care allows seniors to stay in familiar surroundings and continue to live independently, with the help they need to do so safely.
Home Care is convenient for both the family and the patient
Being in the comfort of one’s own home can be a great relief for both the patient and the family. Home care is more convenient, less expensive, and decreases the chance of infection.
There are many reasons why families choose to keep their loved ones at home while they are being treated by Hospice.
The hospice nurse comes to the house on a regular schedule to make sure the patient is comfortable and to ensure that all medications and equipment are working properly. The nurse also helps the family with any problems they may have.
The home care aide will visit once a week to bathe the patient if needed, do light housekeeping and help with meal preparation. The aide stays as long as it takes to get these tasks completed, so there is no need to rush through them.
Home Care Aide Can Help Seniors Remain At Home
One of the most common retirement home options is to have your senior stay at home. This can be a good option if your family member is still able to take care of themselves but would benefit from help with certain tasks.
For example, if your loved one needs help getting groceries or doing laundry, some companies offer these services for a reasonable fee.
What’s more, many seniors who live alone love having company. In-home care workers can also provide this companionship at an affordable price. This can prevent depression and give your loved one something to look forward to each week.
Home Care Offers Flexibility
As a senior, you can choose the kind of care you get. If you don’t want to be tied to a specific day and time every week, you can choose a care plan in which your provider works more hours on some days and fewer hours on others. You might even choose to rotate through different types of services each week, such as housekeeping and meal preparation.
Some seniors find home care providers who are willing to work with them on flexible schedules, especially if they have good communication skills and a reasonable range of health issues.
Many seniors benefit from getting one-on-one attention from someone who can understand the nuances of their health concerns.
It’s also easier for a professional caregiver to spot potential health concerns or problems that might seem minor but could end up becoming serious problems down the road.
In addition, being able to make choices about your care is another way you’re empowered by having a choice about how much care you need.
Home care Provides Independence
The help provided by a home care provider allows your loved one to remain independent. It also provides as much or as little assistance as needed, so your loved one can maintain his or her independence and quality of life.
Home care is flexible, so it can be used in a variety of ways. For example, the level of care can be increased or decreased as needed, whether that means increasing support after an illness or decreasing it when your loved one feels better.
Many families find that home care provides them with peace of mind, knowing someone is there to help their loved ones when they are not available.
Home Care Ensures Safety
Home care is a good way to ensure safety at home. Seniors who only need a little help can receive the care they need while living in the comfort of their own homes. Home care providers can provide companionship, make meals, and assist with mobility, which means they are there in case of an emergency.
Home care providers have skills that allow them to communicate effectively with older adults. They understand what it means to age and often have personal relationships with seniors.
Companionship helps to prevent falls and other accidents. If a senior lives alone, he or she may be hesitant to ask for help when needed. Having someone around who is willing and able to help can take that stress away for the senior and his or her family.
Home care providers can share daily duties such as cooking meals. This not only ensures the senior has a healthy meal but also makes him or her less likely to trip over things left on the floor.
Mobility assistance is another way home care providers maintain safety at home. A home care provider can assist with getting out of bed or up from a chair if necessary, helping to prevent falls.
Final Thoughts
There is a deep sense of fulfillment when you can be of service to seniors who are unable to care for themselves. There’s no question that home caregivers contribute to the well-being of aging family members and should always be considered a first-line option.
Home care is one of the most vital services that older individuals and their families can utilize. The benefits of providing home care services far outweigh any negatives, and there is little doubt that the growing population of seniors in the future will benefit from the contributions that these caregivers make. Choose your residents wisely, and then focus on providing them with holistic care that takes both body and mind into account.
