If you’re the child of an older father or mother, you have likely listened to them explain their intention to continue living at home rather than moving to a nursing home. The truth is, the majority of older people want to remain in their own homes for as long as possible – for a variety of reasons. Home is the place they’ve carefully created, so it’s where they are the most familiar and comfortable. Living at home also offers meaning and purpose to one’s life. Something as basic as looking at your possessions, reading the mail, or relaxing on the front porch are more meaningful at home than in a facility because it is the home that provides the framework of life. The comforts of home offer a sense of serenity and privacy that can’t be replaced.
Nevertheless, many people, old and young alike, are under the false presumption that life in an assisted living facility or nursing home is inevitable for the elderly. Is it really possible to age safely and independently using in-home care services? Actually, in-home care services can be a practical, long-term alternative for many. Living at home provides not only the enjoyment of familiar surroundings and independence from rigid routines, but according to Genworth’s Cost of Care Survey, in-home care can be a much more cost-effective option as well.
Is In-Home Care Right for Your Loved One?
To decide if a senior loved one could benefit from the assistance of a skilled caregiver rather than making the significant decision to sell their home and move into a nursing home or assisted living facility, pay attention to the level of functioning in the following two areas:
- Standard Activities of Daily Living: These activities are crucial to taking care of oneself, such as bathing, putting on clothes, getting up 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 finances (writing checks, paying bills), shopping for groceries or personal items, keeping up a residence/performing household chores, properly taking medications, using a telephone, taking care of mail and traveling by way of car or public transportation.
Are home care services an option for someone you love? Carolina Hearts Home Care, a trusted provider of home care in Raeford and the surrounding areas, can help you identify your senior care options. Our experienced and exceptionally qualified care professionals provide you with an alternative to a nursing home or assisted living facility. Contact us today at 1-855-277-2005 with any questions.
