5 Reasons Why Home Care is Best
Many people believe incorrectly that private duty home care is not a viable option for them as they age. Lack of affordability, as well as the lack of trusted caregivers, are two common misconceptions about receiving quality home care. Fortunately, excellent home health care that is both affordable and trustworthy is definitely available.
Assisted Living vs Home Care
Several years back I attended a meeting at a newly opened large assisted living facility. The room was packed with a variety of senior care affiliated business people. Represented, were senior social workers, medical supply companies, home healthcare agencies, senior publications, and financial trust officers and elder law attorneys.
The speaker asked, “How many of you are impressed with and really like the new facility?” Everyone in turn raised their hand and commented that it was a very beautiful assisted living facility. Then he asked us, “How many of you would want to stay in a facility like this when you are older?”
Not one person raised his or her hand.
1. Home is Where the Heart Is
As we age, we typically want to remain at home, comforted by our familiar surroundings with family and friends close by. Particularly when we do not feel well or are weakened physically or mentally, the desire to be comforted by our own familiar surroundings is great. Who doesn’t want to be in their own bed when they don’t feel well?
I know for myself that it is so disconcerting to fall ill when you are away from home. My first thought is that I cannot wait until I’m in the comfort of my own bed! Being at home is simply more comfortable and peaceful. It is very reassuring to have your own things and know where everything is located.
The Benefits of Home Care
At home care means there is no need to downsize – no need to pick out one dresser and a comfortable chair to move into your tiny efficiency or one bedroom assisted living. You can stay at home and keep all of your life long treasured possessions and heirlooms close by.
When we remain at home we can more easily maintain our independence, and more importantly, keep our dignity intact. Having in-home nursing care assures that the attention you need is there – when you need it, not when the caregiver has time to fit you into her schedule.
No Downsizing Required
Staying at home is obtainable and does not need to look much different than your life always has been. I remember a conversation I had with a Registered Nurse, she recounted, “I was at this lovely assisted living today and struck up an interesting engaging conversation with this sweet elderly resident.
She told me all about her world travels, exciting stories, and marvelous adventures she encountered being a journalist. As I turned to leave and told her how much I enjoyed talking to her, all at once it hit me like a ton of bricks.
Mark, I now understand what you do! This elderly woman’s entire belongings had been shrunk to one room with a bed, dresser, chair and a few photographs of her travels. Her entire life was shrunk into one room. This is so sad, and I don’t want to spend my last days like this!”
This revelation was significant to her, and I was glad she shared it with me. It reaffirms the mission of A-1 Action: providing the option for affordable home health care to those who choose it.
2. Home Care IS an Affordable Option
The average cost of assisted living in the District of Columbia is just under $8,000 per month while the average cost in Montgomery County is about $4,500 per month. I find that these costs are actually on the lower end of the spectrum, in fact, they often run closer to $7,000 to $10,000 and up per month for the reputable firms.
Most of the total care nursing facilities are priced comparably to our hourly rate for round the clock nursing assistants in the comfort of your own home. But keep in mind that often continuous round the clock care is not needed. Many individuals may only need care part of the day making this a much more affordable transition.
Many older people only require some assistance with their daily lives and do not necessarily require around-the-clock care. Often family and friends can assist with appointments and grocery shopping. When this is not possible, A-1 Action Nursing Care® is able to provide this service. In many instances, our clients may only require between 8 to 12 hours of care per day.
3. Dangers of Assisted Facility Living
Assisted Living isn’t for everyone. Recently, a friend of mine was diagnosed with the possible onset of Alzheimer’s disease. The family acted quickly to prevent any possible mishaps. They took her automobile, took control of her assets, removed her from her home, and placed her into an Assisted Living Facility all within about one week. Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time that I have witnessed these swift decisions. In fact, it seems to be common practice.
It’s a Personal Choice and You have a Voice
Recently I had a lengthy conversation with another close friend of mine whose mother has some early onset dementia, and we had this very personal discussion about placing your loved ones in a facility. I told him that I was trying to figure out why so many families I know take over and swiftly place their loved one into a facility. And most importantly they don’t ask their elderly family member how they would prefer to live out this remaining part of their life.
He suggested that “Perhaps they don’t want to hear the answer!” Is this really how it should work? Our parents are the ones that sacrificed so much so that we would have a better life than they had experienced. Don’t they deserve to have a voice at this period in their life?
Be sure to check out the facility and ask for references. I tell clients and friends alike that they should consider how they would like to be treated when they age, and then consider carefully about the choices they offer their aging loved one.
Dangers of Depression
Make sure your loved one has a voice and a connection with others at the facility you choose. Also be aware that depression can be a very real concern in the elderly, and as such, be sure to ask your elderly family member’s doctor for help in recognizing the signs of both depression and anxiety.
Anecdotally, it only seems obvious that if one’s independence, personal belongings, and familiar surroundings are removed, depression can easily take hold. A private duty caregiver can be a great companion, connection, and even an advocate for the person suffering from late-onset depression and anxiety.
4. Trusted Assistance and Expert Care
A-1 Action Nursing Care® can make your wish for receiving homecare a reality. We will arrange a caregiver to come directly into your home. Our caregivers are able to offer a wide variety of assistance, which surprisingly to some, may be much more financially feasible than a nursing home or assisted living.
From companionship to total care, our assistants are able to help you remain at home. They can assist you with shopping and/or doctor appointments. If more assistance is required, they can also help with meal planning and preparation, as well as dressing, bathing, light housework, and laundry.
The caregivers can also assist with transfers and/or help with ambulation; assisting from bed to wheelchair, or assisting from a seated position to a standing position.
And you or your loved ones are even able to stay at home if you become completely bedridden. All of your needs can be met in the comfort of your own home.
5. Advanced One-on-One Care at Home
Additionally, A-1 Action is able to assist in helping with more challenging needs such as dementia care, Alzheimer’s disease, illness or injuries.
Private duty nursing care enables a smoother and often easier transition for the family as well as for the family member receiving care. Home health care for seniors allows all of one’s needs and personal care to be done right at home.
One-on-one care is the best care someone can receive which is why we started our family owned agency over four decades ago.
Mark Kline
Vice President
Call us with any questions you may have, we are glad to help! (301) 890-7575
This is a wonderful article and helps in making a decision on home care vs a facility. The point about downsizing and purging all of the sentimental items and large furnishings that the patient has is well taken. None of that is lost with home care. We used A-1’s services and for me it provided a comfort level that nothing was really happening to my mother that was untoward. She had Parkinson’s which allows for nightmares and delusional thought. She was always fearful of things that were happening but I knew they were only in her creative imagination. I knew the two caregivers we had from A-1 always acted in my mom’s best interests, I had no worries like I would have if my mother was in a facility and I could not be sure if what she was saying was actually happening. A-1 was a blessng for our family.
How to ensure that your loved one has a voice and a connection with others at the facility you select was a lovely touch. Her 67-year-old mother has been insisting on living alone, and my husband is concerned for her. She is not interested in relocating. I’ll advise her to take your advice as my husband wants to feel secure knowing that his mother is protected with a good personal home care provider.
We appreciate you stating that as we age, we frequently elect to remain at home because we feel comfortable in our comfortable surroundings and the close vicinity of family and friends. You also noted that when we feel unwell or are weak physically or psychologically, the need to be comforted by our familiar surroundings is overwhelming. When looking for a senior in-home care provider to take care of my grandma while they are out taking care of other things, my mother and her sisters are likely to use the information they learn from this when they start their search.
When my dad recently had to rush my grandma to the hospital in the middle of the night due to a health scare, he realized that having 24-hour Home Elderly Care might be the best way to ensure she receives the attention and support she needs around the clock in the comfort of her own home. The incident highlighted the importance of providing her with consistent care and supervision. It’ll help him feel at ease that with at-home care, you won’t have to downsize or choose just one dresser and a cozy chair for your little apartment or one-bedroom assisted living. Thanks.
Hey, my dad’s been holding down the fort like a champ, but lately, he could use some extra help around the house. Between his daily routines and medical needs, it’s becoming a bit overwhelming for him, and I want him to have the best care possible. So, I’ve been on the lookout for a home care provider who can give him the support and companionship he deserves, and maybe take a load off my worry list too. Thanks for telling us to remember that depression in the elderly may be a very serious issue, so be sure to seek your older family member’s doctor for assistance in identifying the symptoms of both sadness and anxiety.
It’s good that you highlighted how home care allows our senior loved ones to remain at home to maintain their independence while still being provided with the attention and assistance they need. I need a caregiver for my aunt who is currently living with me since she’s now 65 and can’t move properly on her own without help but I’m too busy with work these days. I’ll take note of this while I look for a home care service in El Paso to hire for my aunt soon.
I found it helpful when you explained how agencies may provide you with long-term security by sending you qualified, sympathetic, and reliable caretakers for as long you require them. I need a caretaker for my aunt, who is presently living with me because she is 65 years old and can no longer move properly without assistance, but I am currently too busy with work. When I search for a home care provider to employ for my aunt shortly, I’ll keep this in mind.
I appreciate you suggesting that we look into home care if we simply require services like housekeeping, companion care, and aid with personal care.