When your parents get into their golden years, you will definitely worry about how they will carry out their day to day operations. This is usually the case if they are more forgetful or become feebler because they are more prone to injuries and accidents. At such a time, there is a need to consider seeking the services of senior care.
When it comes to deciding the best care, it can be challenging to know whether home health care or nursing home care is the right option. That said, this guide explores different aspects of caring for elderly parents in-home care vs. nursing home to help you make a more informed decision.
Freedom and Independence
One of the great aspects of home health care over a nursing home is that your elderly parents will enjoy more freedom and independence. Within the home set-up, they’ve got the independence and freedom to set rules on how they should be treated. They even have flexible time schedules when they can go about socializing, shopping, and visiting friends.
Within the in-home set-up, your elderly parents will still have the freedom to choose their caregivers, which provides them with the perfect opportunity to live in an environment that provides them with peace of mind. Also, given that the seniors aren’t subjected to any rules and regulations, their age-related health complications are significantly minimized. This goes a long way in improving their quality of life.
Unlike home health care, nursing homes don’t have such flexibility. Most nursing homes have strict regulations, which means that you may only be allowed to visit your parents during a certain period of time.
Elderly Care Costs
If your elderly parents require assistance resulting from old age illnesses, it may be a great idea to consider in-home care over a nursing home. A nursing home may have specialized equipment for the best elderly care, but you may end up paying more for services and equipment that your parents may not even require.
However, it is important to remember that if they need twenty-four supervision and care, the associated costs of home health care can quickly rise. This is because you may need to make certain modifications, including safety precautions and wheelchair access. In such instances, you have to weigh the associated cost of in-home care with what you will pay in the nursing home.
While nursing homes may have a higher up-front price tag, you may find them an affordable option if your parents have substantial needs.
Access to Medical Care
One of the distinct differences between home health care and a nursing home is access to medical care. This is an important aspect to keep in mind when evaluating the condition and level of care your elderly parent needs. Your senior may need different types of care, including help with daily living activities, medical management, and therapy.
In-home health care may be a great choice if your elderly parent a specific type of medical care. If they constantly develop different complications, it’s best to consider nursing homes because they’ll benefit from all-around medical care from experienced specialists. You can still hold them accountable for any medical malpractice or seek the services of the best nursing home abuse lawyers in case of any abuse.
Most nursing homes have medical equipment that supports the elderly who require more extensive care, including occupational, speech, and physical therapy. Before you make up your mind on seeking the services provided by nursing homes, you should be assured that it’s the best solution to provide you and your loved one’s peace of mind.
A Better Healing Environment
Compared to the nursing home set-up, home care health promotes the healing process for the elderly. Different studies have indicated that elderly folks suffering from age-related complications heal faster and are comfortable at home than when they are in a nursing home or hospital. There are also fewer chances that you may end up in hospital services when your elderly parents are recovering at home.
This is because the in-home health care set-up can be customized to meet your elderly parent’s needs. For instance, if your parents have dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, the care provided can be strictly tailored to the disease they are suffering from. This is in sharp contrast to the one size fits approach provided by many caregivers in nursing homes.
In nursing homes, seniors come to get checked for different health-based care and medical attention.
Mental and Physical Wellness
One of the reasons why you should consider in-home care is that it brings the family together, and this is something you will miss in nursing home facilities. The elderly should be around family because they stand to benefit from physical, mental, and emotional wellness. Also, given that the elderly receive care from their loved ones, they get to choose their therapeutic environment, and this promotes safety.
That said, in-home health reduces certain challenges caregivers face like guilt. What’s more, the in-home one on one attention given to the elderly guarantees their safety. This is because your elderly parents’ needs are handled adequately and more efficient compared to the nursing homes where certain procedures have to be followed before care.
Also, the elderly within the home environment is not at risk of infections. In some cases, the confinement of the elderly folks with infectious diseases may develop a more complicated infection.
Final Thoughts
There will come a time when common health conditions in your elderly loved ones become problematic. During such a time, the best cause of action is to seek outside help. Choosing where your elderly parents will find the best care in their sunset years isn’t that easy. Some hardly want to leave their homes, while others want to be in an environment where they can socialize and have twenty-four-hour access to medical attention.
As you figure out whether home health care or nursing home is perfectly suited for your needs, the few considerations highlighted in this guide should act as the first step.