One of the most daunting aspects of advancing in age is the realization of just how many things will need to change. Considerations for health, reduced capability in mobility, these are all things that most of those who grow old must make preparations for. Various options do exist on how exactly to obtain needed care, most usually separated into two different categories, staying at home or moving to an outside facility. While the latter does have its strong points for some situations, the former has clear advantages that should be taken into account when deciding which way to go.
Cost Advantage
Without a doubt, one of the most glaring advantages for staying at home, instead of moving to a professional-care facility, is the amount of money you will have to pay, especially if you or your loved one want to retain a modicum of privacy. The average private room in a nursing facility is in excess of $80,000 each year, while the median cost for comprehensive care at home is a bit over $37,000. In essence, if the care that is needed runs eight hours or less each day, you will save a good deal of money with home healthcare.
Comforts of Home
No matter how nice or comfortable a senior home care facility or nursing home is, it simply cannot take the place of home. Many people live their entire lives in one house, so the thought of having to leave it, especially given how vulnerable a person may feel due to getting old itself, is quite unbearable. In fact, nine out of ten people surveyed in regards to the choice between home and outside care indicated that staying at home, also called aging in place, would be much more preferable.
Time Saver
Nine out of ten people surveyed in regards to the choice between home and outside care indicated that staying at home, also called aging in place, would be much more preferable.
Sometimes the choice is between taking care of your loved one by yourself as opposed to bringing in professional help, rather than that of inside or outside care. Many people decide that since their loved one will be home, they can take care of them on their own, in addition to their own life and responsibilities. This can be a difficult balance, something that many people find out down the line and become stressed out to the point of breaking. In cases like this, in-home care in Northern Virginia can alleviate stress and make life activities much more manageable.
Promote Healing
Staying in a hospital can be difficult, no matter how long or what it is for. The rapidity and never-ceasing nature of the medical procedures and tests can be overwhelming for anyone, let alone an older person who has less energy to cope with it. In many cases, the option for recovery at home, as opposed to staying in the hospital for all of it, is available, making it possible for management of reduction in stress and anxiety, since the atmosphere is much more peaceful and welcoming. Studies have also shown that not only does staying at home help the recovery process, it, on average, reduces the amount of needed revisits.
Independence and Dignity
One of the most liberating aspects of owning a home is that it is your “castle,” where you are able to conduct yourself in the manner most pleasing to you, without violating anyone else’s rules or regulations. The structured environment of a nursing home or assisted-living facility can almost make living there seem like a jail sentence, with the amount of flexibility and freedom felt at home completely missing. This can have profound effects not only on emotional health and self confidence, it can spill over and affect physical health conditions in a negative fashion. No matter how old or young a person is, having the most control over our choices in life, especially those most basic in nature, is of paramount importance.
Enhanced Level of Care
While it may seem like living in a controlled setting, such as an assisted-living facility or nursing home, would be the place with the best possible care, the exact opposite is usually the case. This is not necessarily due to a lack of professionalism or compassion on the part of the facility workers, while that does happen it is the exception rather than the rule. It all boils down to the fact that those who work at a facility have more than one charge to deal with, so personalized attention and interaction may be kept to a minimum. With in-home care, the assigned professional deals solely with you or your loved one, allowing a depth of understanding and empathy difficult to achieve outside the home. Home health aides also make life at home more fun and interactive.
Family Interaction
Even if your loved one lives alone at their home, rather than in your family’s home, doing so goes a long way towards keeping familial ties close and interaction at a maximum. The impersonal nature of professional facilities may cause family members to enjoy visiting their loved one much less than if they were at home, potentially leading to fewer and fewer visits over time. Family is one of the most important components to healthy and happy twilight years, so living in a place they enjoy coming to can only serve to enhance this advantage.
Contact Caring Hands Matter Today For More Information
If you or your loved one has reached the point where a decision needs to be made on selecting a professional facility or in-home care, we urge you to give Caring Hands Matter a call or send us a message online. We realize that understanding every aspect of in-home care on your own may be confusing, but this is something our knowledgeable and friendly staff are happy to help you through every step of the way.