There are many benefits to taking care of the elderly at home. In fact, research has shown that there are more advantages to keeping seniors in their own homes than placing them in a nursing home. Here are some of the top benefits of home elder care.
Financial Relief
Having your elderly cared for in your home is a huge financial relief for everyone. You can read more on how a home care nurse can provide all the care an elderly person could need. Having proper care without paying for rent will take a huge burden off your chest.
For example, finances are often a top concern for families when making the decision of whether to keep their elderly loved ones at home or place them in a long-term care facility. According to a study conducted by the National Institute on Aging, it is estimated that the average cost of nursing home care is about $7,000 per month. In contrast, the estimated cost of care at home is about $3,000 per month, which can represent a significant saving for families.
Emotional Support
The emotional support you can receive is essential in reducing stress, making you feel more positive, and providing a boost to your overall health. Seniors are no exception to this rule. In fact, emotional support whether from a caregiver or a family member can be especially beneficial for older adults when aging at home because they may be dealing with additional stressors, such as declining health or the death of a loved one.
If they’re surrounded by their loving children and grandchildren, elders often feel more content and secure. And, even if family members can’t be there in person, frequent phone calls, emails, and video chats can help your elderly relative feel connected and loved.
Fostering Independence
With the assistance of professional in home care south nashville, or similar in-home care in your area, seniors will feel much more independent. Instead of having to rely on others for help with activities of daily living or transportation, home care provides the assistance they need to stay in their own homes. For many seniors, this is a top priority. Maintaining independence is important for both their physical and mental health.
For example, let’s say your elderly parent can no longer drive. With home care, they will have access to caregivers who can provide transportation services. This means they can still go to their favorite places, run errands, and participate in activities outside the home, therefore fostering their independence. An alternative to in-home care is to look at senior care franchise opportunities where your loved one can comfortably live in communities full of other elderly citizens who require additional assistance to go about their lives. They may also need extra support from others in order to complete everyday things.
Personalizing Needs
Elders have a lot of needs, and they need help fulfilling them. These are the following:
- They need to be cleaned
- They need help going to the bathroom
- They need help eating and drinking
- They need their clothes changed
- They need to be turned so they don’t get bedsores
- They need to have their hair brushed
- They need their nails trimmed
All of these needs can be personalized according to the elder’s wishes. They don’t have to be done in a certain order or at a certain time. When the nurse isn’t in, you can do whatever you want. You can personalize the care to the elder’s needs and wishes.
Improved Mental Health
Elders are much more vulnerable to mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. In fact, a large percentage of adults aged 55 or older suffer from some form of mental illness. This number is only expected to grow as the population ages.
Keeping them at home can help prevent or delay the onset of mental illness, and also allows them to receive treatment much sooner. In fact, a study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that adults over the age of 60 who received in-home care were less likely to develop depression than those who did not.
There are many reasons why this is the case. For one, being at home allows elders to maintain their independence and dignity. This can help stave off feelings of helplessness and hopelessness, which are common among the elderly population.
Comfort
It’s much more comfortable to be at home than to move into an unfamiliar environment. When you’re at home, you can relax in your own space and sleep in your own bed. You’re also surrounded by familiar faces and objects, which can help to ease anxiety and stress. All of this contributes to a much more comfortable experience overall.
For example, imagine that you’re an elderly person with dementia. You might be confused and disoriented in a new place, but if you’re at home, you’ll feel more comfortable and relaxed. This can make a big difference in your quality of life.
Elders need all the love and support they can get and this can be given to them at home for a far lower price. You’ll also provide them with emotional support, and they’ll partially maintain their independence. It’s much easier to personalize their needs when they’re among family and the main focus and this can do wonders for their mental health. Finally, this arrangement is going to be much more comfortable for them.
