Advantages and Benefits of Home Care for Seniors

By Editor1SYS | July 6, 2020 0 Comments

Researching some of the different care options for an aging loved one can seem like a daunting task. Deciding what is best for your family involves taking a number of different factors into consideration. For example, moving your relative into a residential care facility might require making significant lifestyle changes.

However, for some families, home care is an ideal solution.
In home care means that seniors are allowed to stay in the comfort of their own home while still receiving the high level of care that they need to thrive. So, if you are considering organizing home care for a member of your family, let us outline some of the most important benefits that might make your decision a little easier.

Personalized Care

One of the primary benefits of in-home senior care is that a care plan can be customized to fit the needs of your family. So, whether your loved one only needs a few hours of assistance per day, or if they require full-time live in care, a care plan can be created that is flexible and adapted to what works best for the recipient. Home healthcare solutions also enable your aging relatives to stay somewhere that is comfortable and familiar to them. Their daily routines do not need to be interrupted and they can continue to sleep in their own bed and use their own bathroom. Familiar surroundings can be hugely beneficial for people living with progressive conditions that affect memory such as dementia and therefore a consistent environment can provide comfort during times of distress.

Furthermore, home care is also incredibly personal. This means that a caregiver can focus solely on your loved one in their time of need. In home caregivers typically only tend to a single client at any one time and therefore their needs are often met much more quickly when compared to levels of service in residential care facilities. Moreover, there is research out there to suggest that it is this immediacy of care that can help patients to recover from surgery and illnesses more successfully. The risk of developing infections from exposure to viruses and bacteria in a medical facility are also greatly reduced when a loved one is cared for at home and this can lead to fewer hospital readmissions.

Access to Professional Care and Support

As part of a tailored home care arrangement, skilled medical care can be administered at home by certified, licensed, and knowledgeable nurses. Additionally, industry standard medical equipment and technology can be installed at home to ensure that any complex medical needs are met to the best possible standard. Similarly, if your loved one has a chronic condition or if they have recently been discharged from hospital or a nursing facility, there is a chance that they are nutritionally at risk. Home care can therefore be adapted to include nutritional counselling and home-cooked meals to protect your loved one from the dangers of malnutrition.

Managing multiple prescriptions and medicines can also be confusing if you are not a trained medical professional. Comparatively, home healthcare providers can ensure that the correct medication is being taken at necessary times to control health conditions and prevent any harmful drug interactions. Caring for the mental health of your loved one is also a fundamental part of in-home care. Aging adults are much more likely to be healthy if they have access to social interaction, and home healthcare workers can provide companionship. This can include accompaniment with errands such as grocery shopping, medical appointments, and other day-to-day activities. These trained home healthcare workers will have access to software such as Shiftcare which will enable a smooth care experience, and updated notes between different carers, on important details such as medications and other information. 

Family Involvement

One benefit of home care that is sometimes overlooked is the fact that it enables your family to be a large part of a care plan for your loved one. Home care agencies can provide a direct line of communication with any carers that are responsible for your relative and can offer frequent updates regarding care and general wellbeing. By the same token, home healthcare professionals can be there when you cannot. If you are caregiving from a distance, it can be difficult to meet the needs of your loved one and arranging home health care can ensure that someone is available to help your relative at all times.

In some circumstances, the ability to receive care from home can even mean that your aging relative does not have to part with any pets. Studies show that pet companionship has a number of benefits for seniors. The research suggests that pets can ease loneliness, reduce heart disease, and calm dementia patients. With the help of a caregiver, your loved one can continue to enjoy the companionship of their pet while at the same time getting assistance caring for their animal as well as their own healthcare needs.

Ultimately, if you, or a loved one is considering in home care as part of any plans to age in place, then researching some of the fantastic home care services out there can help you to find a plan that suits your needs and maximizes the potential benefits. Above all, for many families, home healthcare can provide much needed support for managing caregiving responsibilities while avoiding burnout.

 No one likes to think too much about getting older. Nonetheless, getting prepared and seeking advice can help to alleviate your fears, and provide peace of mind that arrangements have been made to secure your future. To learn more, take a look at this article that explains what to consider when preparing for later life.