Senior Care – Why Staying at Home Makes Sense, Emotionally & Financially
Independence is something every human being values, no matter how young or how old. As people age, they often lose some of their independence, forcing them to depend on others for personal care, medical treatment, daily activities, personal hygiene, and routine day-to-day tasks. This can take a toll on a senior’s emotional stability and mentality, especially if the senior’s memory and thoughts are of a sound mind.
No one wants to have someone else care for them; no one wants to be a burden. However, if a senior enters a nursing home, as opposed to remaining in their own home, it can often be a more lonely experience, a more difficult adjustment, and an additional strain on the individual’s health, as well as the family’s stress level.
Fortunately, there are alternatives to nursing homes which can enable you or your loved one to remain at home and maintain dignity and independence while still receiving personal care. In-home senior care is one such alternative. Care givers or nurse aides can visit the home and provide daily assistance, and at-home care-giving services are often less costly, or comparable, than nursing home care.
If you or your aging parent or loved one wants to remain at-home, no matter if you need assistance for four hours a day, eight hours a day, or 24-hours a day, you can find caring nurse aides to give you the geriatric care and senior companionship you need, where and when you need it.
Nursing homes can be quite costly. The average annual cost of a private room in a nursing home in the United States is $70,080. Often senior home care can be much less costly than nursing homes, charging average rates of $13-$20/hour. Some home care providers put their hourly rates of home care services directly on their website, and it is easy to see the savings.
Home care relieves family members not only from a possible financial burden, but also an emotional burden. It is always comforting to know that your loved ones are living in their own home and enjoying familiar surroundings. Home care gives people peace of mind, whether you are the person receiving care, or the adult child responsible for an aging parent.
Nurse aides and care givers provide varied types of services, ranging from doing the laundry and dishes, to running errands and shopping. They can give personal care and assist with bathing and dressing, as well as assist with cognitive difficulties and prompting and supervising daily activities. Not only that, but nurse aides provide one-on-one attention and interaction, fostering a caring relationship. Nurse aides can make house visits one day a week for only a few hours or they can provide live-in assistance around the clock.
If you are planning you or your loved one’s health care future, keep in mind that nursing homes are not the only option. Nurse aides and senior care companions provide quality in-home senior care services and non-medical home health care and companion services to senior citizens and adults. Senior care consultants can work with you and your family to help you maintain your independent lifestyle. caregiver agency near me