Would Seniors Rather Stay Home Instead of Going Into Senior Care Facilities?
According to a survey conducted by AARP, 8 in 10 older adults want to age in their homes. There are many reasons why this is so. Being home instead of in a retirement community has its advantages but also downsides.
Luckily, it’s never too early to begin planning for how and where the person wants to live when he or she begins needing assistance.
It all comes down to this question for the senior: Would you prefer aging in place with care coming to you, or moving to a retirement community where you live with more assistance?
Home Instead Senior Care vs. Retirement Facilities: The Benefits
With in-home care, paid caregivers come into the home to assist with activities of daily living. Here are some advantages of both options.
Advantages of Home Instead Care
- Ability to retain more independence – the individual sets the rules.
- Enjoy the comfort and ease of living in familiar surroundings.
- Maintain connections with established community members (i.e. neighbors, friends, family, place of worship, volunteer activities).
- Enjoy having adequate space to accommodate the individual and their visitors.
Consistency of caregivers allows the individual to know each of them personally as they help with daily tasks and provide companionship. - It may be more cost-effective than other options.
- Flexible scheduling that can be tailored to meet the needs of the individual.
- It may be less expensive than a full-time retirement facility.
Advantages of Living in a Retirement Community
- Opportunities to easily socialize with others and foster community.
- Organized activities that are engaging and stimulating.
- Easy access to areas for self-care and entertainment (i.e. gym, pool, salon, library, game room).
- Easier access to healthcare and medical treatments.
- Transportation for shopping, doctor appointments, etc.
- Continuous care options that allow for special needs as they arise.
- Dining services.
The Importance of Planning Ahead for Home Care
Aging individuals and their families can’t anticipate every scenario, but planning ahead will help you respond more effectively in an emergency.
Form a Planning Team
Like the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child,” caring for an older adult requires the same level of care. Reach out to form a team of family, friends, and others who can be involved.
Determine the Needs
Have the team meet remotely or in person. What are the current needs? What are the long-term needs? What is each person able to contribute?
Consider Safety Concerns
If the person being cared for has difficulty getting around, consider ways to make the home less hazardous. Professionals can assist with this (i.e. occupational therapist, geriatric care manager, aging-in-place specialist). Moreover, AARP has a helpful in-home care guide for review.
ABSIHC Can Help!
If someone is unhappy about being uprooted and moved, that could result in depression and anxiety for the aging senior. Therefore, it’s important to check in frequently to see how they are doing and alter the original decision, if necessary. A Better Solution in Home Care is a place to get excellent help with the decision-making process. Call us today to learn more!
