Home is where the heart is. This phrase may sound a bit cliché, but there’s certainly a lot of truth to it. A person’s home is a special place – it provides them with comfort, familiarity, safety, and independence. So, it should come as no surprise that, according to AARP, over 90% of seniors would prefer to age in their own homes.

When it comes to the wellbeing of our aging loved ones, we all want what’s best. Here are some benefits of senior home care to consider as you decide if senior home care is right for your loved one.

Uplifting Companionship

One of the biggest problems facing the elderly population is isolation and loneness. As we age, our ability to get around diminishes. From losing driving privileges to the inability to leave home, it’s easy for elderly individuals who live alone to become lonely. This is especially amplified if the person doesn’t have any nearby friends or family.

This is exactly why companionship is one of the greatest benefits of senior home care. One of the most important jobs that a professional caregiver can do is to provide an elderly individual with the social interaction that they need – this can be anything from a game of cards at the kitchen table to a meal out.

By providing the social interaction and companionship that aging adults need, it helps to ward off feelings of depression, loneliness, and despair – all of which are entirely too common in our population.

Supporting Independent Living

Often, aging individuals need only a little extra support to be able to continue to live safely and comfortably in their own homes. And that little extra support can be all that’s needed to boost that older adult’s sense of independence.

As the feelings of independence increase, typically so does their self-confidence and overall outlook on life. With a little extra support from professional, in-home caregivers, aging adults are able to remain safely and comfortably in their own homes for longer than they would if they were doing left to do it all on their own.  

Maintained Familiarity

We all thrive in environments that are familiar and comfortable, and this is especially pertinent to elderly individuals. For many senior citizens, the emotional value of their home far outweighs the monetary value.

They revel in having a space that is truly their own. For many seniors who end up in a long-term living facility, their new environment never truly feels like home. Aging in place allows seniors to remain in the space that they feel the most comfortable and where things feel familiar.

Many elderly folks who leave their home behind are left dealing with an emotional trauma that can take a major toll on their health and mental wellbeing.

A Watchful Eye

We’d all love to be there for our aging loved ones all the time, although we know that isn’t always an option. A professional caregiver will keep a close eye on your loved one, watching for any changes in behavior or their condition that could be cause for concern – this includes anything from a refusal to eat to leaving a stove burner on.

Professional in-home caregivers are trained to pay close attention to subtle cues that indicate that a senior’s mental or physical condition has changed. This allows your loved one’s care team to intervene quickly, providing the additional support they need and avoiding dangerous situations.

Peace of Mind

Whether you live 5 minutes away or on the other side of the country, it’s common to worry about the health of your loved ones during those times that you’re unable to be with them. It can be difficult to give your loved one the care and attention they need all the time on your own – and you shouldn’t put that kind of stress and pressure on yourself. 

Professional, personalized care in your loved one’s home provides you with peace of mind and a much-needed break. A professional caregiver can help fill in the gaps that you’re unable to fill and give you confidence that your loved one is well cared for.

Cost Savings

Aside from all the physical and emotional benefits of senior home care, there’s also the financial side of things. Nursing homes and other assisted living facilities are often far too pricey for seniors and their families to realistically afford for the long-term – especially for seniors who require specialized care.

While there is also a cost associated with aging in place, the price tag is typically dramatically less than the cost of living in an assisted living situation.

Considering Hiring In-Home Care For Your Loved One?

If you have an elderly loved one who’s beginning to lose their ability to live completely independently, or you’re concerned with your ability to maintain being their sole caregiver, now is a good time to start exploring your options for professional in-home care.

Now that you’ve learned more about the benefits of in home care, it’s important that you take some time to consider all the that this type of care could provide to your loved one while allowing them to remain comfortably in their own home and giving you peace of mind that they’re well taken care of and looked after.

If you’re ready to explore the possibility of in-home elderly care further, we welcome you to get in touch with our elderly care specialists today for more information.