What is In Home Care?

Home care services include any type of support that allows a person to live safely and comfortably in their own home. For those who are aging, home care services can help them to maintain their independent lifestyle while receiving the care, treatment, and support they need to do so safely.

Professional caregivers like nurses, aides, and therapists come to your loved one’s home and provide care either on a short-term or long-term basis, depending on their needs. This option is an alternative to a nursing facility or assisted living center.

The Advantages and Benefits of In Home Senior Care

While there’s no right or wrong answer for caring for and supporting your loved one through the aging process, in this article, we’re discussing the benefits of in home care and why this type of care may be the best solution for you or your loved one.

Maintaining Comfort and Familiarity

The major benefit of home care is that your loved one can continue living in a place where they feel most comfortable. They’re still able to sleep in their own bed, use their own bathroom, and continue to enjoy their daily functions in a familiar place. Being in familiar surroundings is especially comforting to those who suffer from progressive conditions like dementia.

Another benefit that often gets forgotten is pet ownership. Many elderly individuals own pets for companionship and when they stay in their homes, they’re able to keep their pets and maintain that special bond that they’ve come to know and rely on.

Individualized Care

When you choose an in home care provider, you can expect that the care your loved one receives is custom-tailored to them. Rather than adjusting to the schedules and routines of a skilled facility, a home care plan is customized to fit their needs.

Whether your loved one requires the assistance of a home health aide for a few hours a day or full-time live-in care, you can rest assured that the care they’ll receive is adaptive to them personally.

One on One Attention

Along the same lines as our last point, when you choose in home care for your loved one, you can expect them to receive one-on-one care and attention. The personal nature of home care means that your loved one is the primary focus of the caregiver. It’s the caregiver’s job to provide a level of attention and care that can ensure they have everything they need to feel safe and comfortable.

Also, because the caregiver’s only responsibility is to care for one client, they’re able to provide care much faster than if the client were at a residential nursing facility.

Maintain Independence

Losing one’s independence is a major concern when the time comes for additional help and care in our aging days. A big advantage of home care is that your loved one can continue to maintain control over many aspects of their daily life.

They get to continue to live by their own schedule, which includes choosing when they want to eat, sleep, and socialize. For seniors who are no longer able to drive, a caregiver can help make sure they still get to where they need to go while still maintaining some level of independence.

Companionship

Elderly people who live alone often feel isolated and begin feeling lonely which can ultimately lead to a decline in their health. An in home caregiver provides your loved one with companionship, a friendly face, and routine conversation that can help keep them feeling happy while giving them something to look forward to.

Family Involvement

When the time comes to make arrangements of elder care for your aging loved one, you want to know that although you can’t be there with them at all times, they’re still being well cared for. Home care enables your family to play a large role in your loved one’s plan of care.

When you choose a trusted in home care agency, you’ll have a direct line of communication to your loved one’s caregiver who’ll provide you with updates and voice any concerns, keeping you in the know.

Peace of Mind

Another benefit of in home care for your loved one is the peace of mind you’ll have knowing that your family member is being well cared for in their time of need. You don’t have to worry about them falling or getting hurt while alone with no way of reaching out for help.

It’s Cost-Effective

In home care is typically charged by the hour, so there’s a lot of flexibility when it comes to the expense of care. If your loved one requires 24-hour live-in care, there’s usually a discount provided for that level of attention.

For those who need assistance on just a part-time basis, the cost for a part-time home health aide can be significantly lower than the cost to live at a residential nursing facility. Many long-term insurance plans can also help to cover the cost of home care.

Making the Choice That Makes the Most Sense for Your Family

Choosing how to care for your loved ones in their later years is a highly personal decision and is dependent on the level of care they need. There are many benefits to opting for professional in home care where your loved one gets the opportunity to maintain a level of independence and familiarity that they’ve become accustomed to while still having the extra professional support and care that they need.