What Is Senior Home Care
Senior home care refers to care provided to a senior in their own home. The exact care provided may differ widely depending on the senior’s capabilities and several other factors. Usually, services include helping in one or more areas related to personal care and grooming, grocery shopping and cooking, household chores, and running errands.
The home care professional may be required to visit the senior in their charge every day or a couple of times a week. Seniors who require round-the-clock care may need a live-in caregiver.
What Is Assisted Living
Assisted living refers to type of established facility that offers accommodation to seniors. Seniors who choose this option move from their own home to the assisted living facility, where all their needs are taken care of.
These facilities have staff on site 24/7 to provide residents with the level of care they need, from bathing and grooming to medication and special needs. All of these facilities have a physician on call for any medical emergency.
3 Factors To consider When Deciding Which Option Is Right For You
1. How Much Help They Need
Every individual ages differently. Two seniors of the same age may have vastly different capabilities.
Before you taking any decision, it is important to first determine the exact level of care your elderly loved one needs. Are they fairly independent and need only minimum assistance occasionally or they fully dependent on others to help them with their daily chores?
The second thing to consider is how many family members have the time and resources to offer the necessary help. Keep in mind this is going to be long-term assistance, it’s not just a one-off thing.
2. Pros and Cons Of In-Home Care and Assisted Living
The biggest benefit of in home care is that the senior gets care that is customized to their needs and preferences. However, the downside is that it requires a lot of planning and coordination between family members who volunteer to be caregivers. Another downside is that a 24/7 caregiver can be very expensive.
The biggest benefits of assisted living are that it offers an affordable way for a senior to get the necessary care 24/7 and also offers seniors the opportunity to socialize with others of the same age. With their loved one’s immediate needs taken care of, families can focus more on relating with their loved one rather than just their care needs. The downside is the absence of one-on-one care in assisted living. Also, quality of care can vary significantly from one facility to another.
