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Is Home Care the Right Choice for Your Aging Loved One?

In-home care has received quite a lot of attention recently as the idea of aging in place becomes more appealing for seniors. For many families, home care also presents itself as a convenient option as it provides them and their aging loved ones the opportunity to continue living as they used to, only this time with the assistance of home care professionals.
Deciding on a care option for an aging loved one is tricky, especially when you realize that some of them may require huge lifestyle changes. The idea of in-home care can be very appealing.

In-home Care and Alternative Care Options for Seniors:

Home care vs. the alternatives – which one is the right choice for your senior loved one? Let’s explore and discuss the options.

In-Home Care:

For seniors who are healthy enough to take care of their basic needs and capable of moving around independently, in-home is probably the best option. Since they can function fairly well on their own, moving them to a nursing home won’t be necessary. Still, there are things and activities that they’re likely going to need help with like dressing up, meal preparation, housekeeping, assistance during medical appointments, etc. This is where home care services come in handy.

Aging-in-place is becoming a popular choice among families who want to spend more personal time with their elderly loved ones. Before you decide on going with in-home care for your senior family member, though, there are some factors you need to consider.

● Safety and security – Is the home located in a safe neighborhood?

● Accessibility and transportation – Does your senior family member have easy access to public transportation? Are there supermarkets and pharmacies nearby?

● Home layout and convenience – Is the home age-friendly? Do you need to modify it for aging-in-place?

● Medical needs – Does your senior loved one need constant professional medical care or attention? If yes, you might want to look into other care options that provide regular access to doctors and nurses.

Independent Living Communities:

As the name suggests, independent living communities allow seniors to lead relatively independent lives. Residents live individually in free-standing or apartment-like homes that require very little maintenance, and the community provides them with the amenities and services they need to live comfortably.

Independent living is designed for seniors who require minimal help with day-to-day living. Most of these communities do not have professional medical staff on the premises.

Assisted Living Facilities:

Assisted living facilities provide room, boarding, and care services to residents. They’re a good option for elderly people in need of assistance with basic self-care and daily activities. Here, seniors live and freely interact with each other.

Like independent living communities, there are no professional medical services within the facility. A senior resident, however, may sign up for concierge care to receive personalized care and attention from a caregiver while residing in the facility.

Nursing Homes:

Nursing homes are the usual choice for seniors with complex health issues and medical needs as they offer both custodial care and professional medical care. These facilities have in-house medical professionals to provide direct and immediate medical assistance when needed.

Senior Living Facilities:

A great option for seniors who prefer a smaller setting with better care. They are usually much less expensive and have 4 seniors together living under one roof. More of a home setting than a large facility with many people.

Hospice Facilities:

Hospices care for seniors who have a terminal or life-limiting illness. Here, seniors still receive professional medical care, but the facility is more focused on providing compassionate care to the patients; reducing their pain and suffering so that they can live as comfortably as possible.

Choosing a living arrangement for an elderly family member requires much thought and deliberation. As every circumstance is different, it’s important to assess your senior loved one’s needs and then consider every option available in detail. Only then you will be able to make the right and informed decision.

Contributed by: Sarah Keller

About Fairfield Family Care:

We at Fairfield Family Care can assist in your need for quality home care for you or your loved one or respite relief for family caregivers. We can provide care for just a few hours a day, a few days a week, or 24-hour live-in care if needed. We assist clients with a full range of needs from basic laundry, healthy meal preparation, medication reminders, light housekeeping, and errands.
The daily safety and comfort of our clients is our #1 concern. We insist on and we make it our mission to ensure that our caregivers will be the best fit for each individual need.

Fairfield Family Care hires only top-quality and experienced caregivers. We have a growing database of over 1,200 top-quality male and female caregivers to choose from.

All our caregivers are insured, bonded and go through strenuous background checks to ensure the most reliable care possible. You deserve a diligent and sincere caregiver to help meet your needs. Let us find the most suitable caregiver and begin assisting you today.

For more information on in-home care please call Fairfield Family Care at 203-295-3477 or email us at [email protected].