If you’re the child of an elderly parent, you’ve probably heard your loved one explain their desire to continue living at home as opposed to moving to a nursing home. These conversations may have you wondering about the benefits of home care. Truthfully, the majority of older adults want to stay in their own homes for as long as possible – for a wide range of reasons. Home is the environment they’ve carefully created, so it’s where they are the most familiar and comfortable. Living at home also creates purpose and gives meaning to one’s life. Something as simple as looking at your possessions, reading the newspaper, or unwinding on the front porch are more meaningful at home than in a long-term care facility because it is the home that creates the framework of life. The comforts of home provide a sense of peace and privacy that can’t be replaced.
Nevertheless, many people, regardless of age, are under the false presumption that life in a nursing home or assisted living facility is unavoidable for the elderly. Is it really feasible to age safely and independently with the help of home care services? Actually, in-home care services can be a very effective long-term solution for many. Continuing to live at home offers not only the pleasure of familiar surroundings and independence from rigid schedules, but according to Genworth’s Cost of Care Survey, home care can be a much more affordable option as well.
To determine if someone you love may benefit from home care and the assistance of a skilled caregiver rather than making the decision to sell their home and move into a nursing home or assisted living facility, pay attention to the degree of functioning in the following two areas:
- Basic Everyday Personal Activities: These activities are crucial to caring for oneself, such as showering, putting on clothes, getting in or out of a bed or a chair, using the bathroom, eating and walking.
- Activities to Maintain Independence: These are activities that include meal planning and preparation, managing money (writing checks, paying bills), shopping for groceries or personal items, keeping up a residence/performing household chores, taking medications, using a telephone, taking care of mail and traveling by way of car or public transportation.
Are home care services a possibility for someone you love? Compassionate Care Home Health Services can help you understand the available senior care options. Our experienced and fully trained caregivers provide you with an alternative to a nursing home or assisted living facility. Call us today at 877.308.1212 to learn more about our in home care in Saginaw, MI and nearby areas.