Why and when to use home care for seniors

Survey's conducted by the AARP show that 90% of seniors want to stay in their homes as long as possible. Your home is where you’re comfortable. It’s what is familiar. It provides comfort. If you move out to an assisted living community or nursing home, you’re starting over.

Your loved ones value their independence greatly, who are we to take that from them. But with the effects of age starting to take place it becomes hard to ignore the fact that they may benefit from some assistance.

Now is the time to give back to your parents or loved ones for all that they have done for you. Keep them out of the nursing home and in the comfort of their own home.

One study found that those who received in-home care visited the doctor 25% fewer times than those that didn’t receive in-home care. Clients with Alzheimer’s or other dementia diseases, made almost 50% less trips to the doctor.

Compared with moving to a nursing home or assisted living center benefits of choosing in-home care tend to be:

• Greater Convenience
• Better Quality of Life
• Lower Medical Bills

When is the Right Time?

For many people they do not realize that it is time to seek assistance until a major event as passed. For some that may be a diagnosis or a surgical procedure.  

For example your loved one undergoes hip replacement surgery. This can result in weeks of recovery time in a hospital bed. This process takes time in order to properly facilitate a proper recovery.

And instead of heading to a nursing home for care, bring them back home, where a caregiver can help guide the recover recovery. The surroundings are theirs. they sleep in their own bed. All of this familiarity can help with their recovery. 

It is always best to act early and seek assistance before an incident occurs. In order to help do so, here is a list of signs that it may be time to seek professional care assistance.

• They require more medical assistance
• They are not mobile
• They are not eating well
• They are not caring for themselves properly
• They can not keep up with regular medical schedules
• They require frequent specialist care
• They experience frequent fluctuations in wellness, routines and behavior

There can be many reasons for all of the signs and symptoms that suggest a need for a skilled caregiver, so it’s important to get a complete medical evaluation if you have questions about the decision.