As our parents get older, we are faced with difficult decisions about how to best care for them. One of the options that many families consider is in-home care.
In-home care can provide a range of support services that help elderly parents live safely and comfortably in their own homes.
Often a key factor that leads families to consider in-home care is the increasing need for assistance with daily activities. As people age, they begin to struggle with tasks that were once routine such as preparing meals, bathing, and dressing. In the beginning, the senior needs help from family members and they are usually ready to step in.
As time goes on however the senior can be increasingly dependent on family members for help. While this works for a while, it is generally not sustainable in the long term.
The in-home care alternative offers a way for seniors to receive the assistance they need while still maintaining a good level of independence and dignity.
Economics as well as comfort influence another consideration. Seniors generally like to stay in their own homes as long as possible. They have strong emotional attachments to their home and their community. Moving to a nursing home or assisted living facility is a big step, economically and emotionally.
In-home care allows them to stay in the familiar surroundings of their own home while still receiving the care and support they need. While in-home care can be expensive, it is often more affordable than moving to a nursing home or assisted living facility.
In-home care also addresses the emotional needs of the person being cared for by allowing his or her independence and connection to people whom they know it also relieves the burden for the family so the time spent with the elder is quality time, not time taken up with the responsibility and stress of providing full-time care.
The decision to get in-home care for an elderly parent is not always an easy one. In-home care allows a senior to receive the assistance they need with dignity and provides the family with peace of mind, knowing that he or she is getting the assistance they need from a trusted provider.