It can be very difficult to decide how to care for your elderly loved ones. Two very prominent choices for elderly care are in-home care and nursing homes. There are quite a few advantages and disadvantages to both options, which can make it a bit confusing for one to decide. To make the right choice for your elderly, check out all the different factors that each type of care entails.
1- Companionship
Companionship is a very important factor that you should consider while caring for your aging parents, especially if you have one parent living alone. Sometimes, you are not able to run away from other commitments -such as work- to stay with your parents twenty-four seven. If you compare home care with nursing homes, you will find that home care provides a sense of companionship from one person only, the caregiver. In a nursing home, on the other hand, there are other elderlies there to offer companionship to your parents. They can make friends with others who have a lot in common with them.
2- Cost
The cost of in-home care is much less than a nursing home. If you get a home healthcare aide for your parents, you will be giving them a fixed salary per month or you can use a home health care time tracking app to calculate their salary. If you admit one, or both your parents into a nursing home, you will pay double -if not triple- the salary of the home health aide. In a nursing home, the expenses are usually higher because they include all the facility’s equipment and services, even if your parents have no need for such services. In a nutshell, you will be paying extra money without purpose, especially if your parents will only spend a few hours there and do not plan on living there for a long time.
3- Peace of Mind
Peace of mind is important for both, the elderly and you. The two care options offer peace of mind for everyone involved. If you admit your parents into a nursing home, you do not have to worry about them being unable to receive medical care or even therapy if they need it. If you have a capable in-home caregiver, you can ensure that they receive the medical care they need whether it is taking medicines regularly or keeping track of vitals using various techniques.
| At Comfort Keepers, our caregivers are highly skilled and trained in infection control. Therefore, they are prepared to provide your loved one with a clean home environment. |
4- Comfort
Comfort for your aging parents is of the utmost importance. More often than not, elderly people feel more comfortable growing old in their own space. It can be very hard to convince your parents to leave their home, even if it means they will be receiving the care they need. To help your parents feel more comfortable, it is better to consider the home care option. According to care advisors at https://www.careshyft.com/ home care allows your loved ones to remain in the familiar surroundings of their own home close to the ones they love, and close to the things they cherish the most. It goes without saying that having your parents comfortable at their old age is crucial if you want them to be emotionally and mentally healthy.
5- Socialization and Activities
As mentioned above, one of the advantages that nursing homes have is the amount of companionship the elderly can have around. Nursing homes make it a point to get the elderly to socialize with each other. Usually, this is done through a variety of planned activities provided by the facility. Home care does not include much socializing activities. Sometimes, a caregiver can take their elderly out for a stroll around as a change.
6- One-On-One Attention
Having home care will allow your parents to receive one-on-one attention from their qualified caregiver. In a nursing home, there are more personnel; however, you can never be sure that they will be giving your parents much attention since they do have other elderly guests to attend.
7- Independence
Providing home care for your parents means they still have the freedom to go out and about. They do not have specific curfews forced upon them. They can have their own schedules that are not instructed by the facility to follow.
8- Food
Only because your parents are getting older, it does not mean their food should taste bland. A caregiver can make nutritious meals for your parents that are tasty, unlike a nursing home where the food is made in bulk. In the nursing home, the food is usually nutritious but not a lot of effort is put into making it delicious.
Care Home FAQs
1. How does care home fees work?
If you need to go to a care home, you’ll need to pay your own fees. That’s why your local authority will conduct a financial assessment. It is done to determine if you’re entitled to state-funded care.
Having more than the required amount of assets won’t prompt the state to fund your care. If you don’t plan for potential care home costs, your home might be sold to fund your care, leaving very little for your family when you pass away.
2. How do I get protection from care home fees?
It is best to research first by reading online resources on how to get protection from care home fees. Like this page explains, you can protect your assets from care home fees, which are implied in the Community Care Act 1990. Take note that the local authority may use your property to pay home care or place a charge against your property until it’s sold.
3. What are the important home care considerations?
Consider the specific needs of your loved one by talking about daily routines and troubles encountered performing routine tasks. For instance, you need to consider home care services if your parent or grandparent looks in bad shape or is wearing the same clothes every day, with dishes and laundry piling up.
Another essential consideration is the quality of service that a home care provider can provide. Identify the needs of your loved one so involved your parent or grandparent in choosing the best home care service provider for an informed decision.
Of course, the costs should be planned out. How will the care fees be paid? Would it be obtained on the regular benefits or shouldered by the family members?
4. What is the difference between home care and home health?
Home care provides non-clinical help, like meal preparation and companionship. On the other hand, home health offers professional medical assistance and generally covered by private insurance or Medicare, while home care is not covered.
It is important not to forget any of these factors because they will help you make a well-informed decision concerning your parents’ care. Not only do you need to take into consideration their physical wellbeing, but it is important to ensure that they are healthy mentally and emotionally as well. Remember to always make your decision in the best interests of the person receiving the care since they are the ones most affected by your choice.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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