1. Personalized Care
One of the greatest advantages of opting for home care services for seniors is that your loved one receives assistance tailored to their needs. Your loved one’s needs, especially if they require special care, may be overlooked in a larger assisted living facility, so you should opt for home care services.
Home caregivers also customize their services to suit specific family needs. Whether a senior requires help for a few hours or live-in home care services, the agencies will develop a routine ideal for your elderly parent.
Your loved one also receives assistance from a consistent caregiver, which is not the case in assisted living facilities as nurses often take shifts. This means that they do not have to build new relationships with their different caregivers all the time. They also enjoy a sense of compassion and companionship not present in group settings from their caregivers.
2. Independence
One of the primary reasons older adults dread enrolling in assisted living facilities is the loss of independence. Your loved one may even downplay some of the experiences that require professional care just to remain in control of various aspects of their life for as long as possible. Home care allows seniors to be self-reliant in that they control their schedules and routines, social life, what they eat, and when they sleep. A home caregiver can also help run errands or get to social activities if your loved one can no longer drive, improving their ability to remain independent.
3. Peace of Mind
It is impossible to avoid worrying about a loved one with signs of needing help, especially when you do not live in the same state. With professional home care services, family members are confident that their loved ones have the necessary personalized assistance. This reduces stress levels and prevents caregiving burnout on a particular family member. Your elderly parents also enjoy the comfort and peace of knowing that they are cared for, supported, valued, and loved.
4. Cost-Effectiveness
While the choice for the best care for your elderly loved ones should not be based solely on cost, you should ensure your option is affordable. Most people enroll their loved ones in costly long-term nursing facilities because they can no longer manage specific aspects of their care, such as bathing or meal preparation. Homecare provides only the services you need at home, significantly reducing the cost and burden of care.
5. Maintain Dignity
Hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities strive to provide the best-skilled care for elderly adults. However, some aspects of this care, including sharing personal spaces such as bathrooms and bedrooms or having different caregivers assist with toileting and bathing, could make your loved one feel undignified. Home care allows your seniors to receive skilled care in the privacy of their home from a consistent caregiver with whom they establish a trusting relationship. This helps older adults maintain their dignity and privacy.
6. Improved Safety
Senior adults, 65 years and above, contribute to the highest fall-related deaths. As they age, elderly persons develop a decline in mobility, balance, vision, and hearing. Investing in-home care for seniors can significantly reduce fall-related deaths and injuries and improve the safety of your loved ones as it allows them to live in familiar surroundings.
Most older adults also fill nine to 13 prescriptions each year. It may be challenging to manage the high number of medications as parents tend to be more forgetful as they age. An in-home caregiver can help seniors manage medication to avoid duplicating doses, overdosing, or harmful medication interactions.
7. Comfort
One of the most crucial components of professional home care is ascertaining that patients feel safe and comfortable. When seniors stay in the most familiar environment, the home, they feel better mentally and physically. With home care, older adults can use their bathrooms, sleep in their beds, be surrounded by family portraits and pictures, sit on their front porch and maintain their schedules and routines, creating a sense of freedom and security.
Receiving professional assistance in a familiar environment is also beneficial to older adults suffering from progressive health conditions that result in memory loss, such as dementia.
8. Pet Ownership
Pets such as cats and dogs are man’s best friends and companions. Pet companionship is a source of a calming effect on dementia patients, helps senior adults reduce loneliness, and minimizes risks of heart disease. Home care for seniors prevents the separation of older adults from their pets, allowing them to enjoy their furry friend’s companionship. If your loved one needs assistance caring for the canines, home caregivers are happy and ready to help.
9. Promotes Healing
Hospitals, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes are fitted with appropriate equipment and skilled professionals to ensure a speedy recovery for all patients. However, older adults are more likely to recover from illnesses and surgeries faster in a familiar environment. Home care also reduces the chances of rehospitalization and minimizes exposure to germs, decreasing the risks of developing infections.
10. Nurtured Relationships and Improved Family Bonds
Enrolling a loved one in assisted living institutions or nursing homes could strain relationships as these facilities often have restrictions on when you can visit your elderly parent. There is no set visiting hours or restrictions with home care for seniors, so your loved one can organize sleepovers, make or receive calls, hold private discussions, and host guests. This strengthens family bonds, nurtures relationships, and helps seniors combat loneliness.
Endnote
With the various care options to choose from, deciding the best care plan for your loved one can be overwhelming. If you are wondering whether home care for seniors is the best solution, consider the above benefits to make an informed decision.