Geriatric Care vs. Home Care: What are the Differences?
When it comes to caring for an elderly adult, there are lots of options to consider, from home care to geriatric care to assisted living communities. With so much available, it can be difficult to know what is right for your loved one.
The most important thing to consider is the needs of your loved one on a daily basis. Their daily needs should match up with the services offered by a specific type of care. Geriatric care and home care are two of the most common types of care for older adults.
What is Geriatric Care?
Geriatric care is a type of care that includes both medical and non-medical care for elderly adults. Geriatric caregivers help with activities of daily living as well as medical services like occupational therapy, physical therapy, IV therapy, and dialysis.
Geriatric care is sometimes needed on a short-term basis for seniors who are recovering from a health scare or surgery. Other times, it is needed on a long-term basis for the ongoing management of chronic medical conditions.
Geriatric care is more appropriate for seniors who have more involved medical needs and need a bit more support than a caregiver who assists with daily activities.
How to Find Geriatric Care
Geriatric care is a common form of care for older adults, so it is offered at many care facilities. Geriatric care can be found at:
- Long-term senior living communities
- Doctor’s offices
- At home (in-home geriatric care)
- Adult daycare facilities
- Hospice
- Long-term care hospitals
The easiest way to find geriatric care is to communicate with a care team at your local medical facility or senior living community. Staff will be able to evaluate the needs of your loved one and help you find a geriatric care facility that is appropriate for your situation.
When to Seek Geriatric Care
Many times, the need to seek geriatric care will present itself. Small changes in your loved one’s health status, medication regimen, and symptom monitoring requirements might indicate a need for extra assistance. When seniors need ongoing medical care that they are not able to administer themselves, it is time for the family to seek geriatric care.
However, the need to seek this type of care is not always that simple. Sometimes seniors are just getting by with the administration of their medicines or other daily medical needs.
Some seniors may skip a day here and there for treatments, which can put them in real danger. In these cases, geriatric care is preferable to ensure the senior is getting the proper care they need.
Sometimes doctors will suggest geriatric care. They know the signs to look out for and can help evaluate a senior’s individual situation. You can also work with a geriatric care manager in your area who can help identify when the time is right and can also help you find a facility or caregiver that meets your needs.
What Is Home Care?
Home care is a type of care that enables seniors to age in place at home. Caregivers provide individualized services to seniors who need assistance with everyday activities, such as:
- Eating
- Dressing
- Bathing
- Getting around
- Housekeeping
- Pet care
- Transportation
Some home care providers visit once a day, while others live full-time in the home. The frequency of visits depends on the needs of the individual senior.
When finding a home care provider, one of the most important qualities to look for is a good personality match. The senior will be spending a lot of time with their caregiver, so it should be someone who gets along well with your loved one.
That’s why it is best to work with a caregiving service to find an in-home provider. Senior care companies and placement services often have a matching process that helps place caregivers with seniors for the long term.
When to Seek Home Care
Home care is appropriate for seniors who need a little extra support in their day-to-day lives. If you notice a loved one is having trouble keeping up with daily chores or is having difficulty with daily tasks, such as dressing and bathing, it is a good idea to seek home care.
The signs are not always obvious. Have a conversation with your elderly loved one to identify their needs and determine whether they could benefit from geriatric care. You can include their doctor in the conversation to get a medical perspective on the changes that may be taking place as your loved one ages.
Now you know a bit more about the difference between geriatric care and home care. Finding the right type of care for your elderly loved one is critical to ensuring that their daily needs are met. With a little help from professionals, you can find the right care for your loved one in no time.
If you or your family member is considering in-home care as part of a plan to age in place, contact Family Matters In-Home Care today for a free consultation. Our team is dedicated to supporting your family and helping older adults enjoy life in the comfort of their own home for as long as possible.
Some of the services offered by Family Matter In-Home Care include: Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care, Bed & Wheelchair Transfer Assistance, Companionship, Housekeeping & Meal Preparation, Personal Care, Recovery Care, and Transportation.
Serving the San Francisco Bay Area and Greater San Diego, Family Matter In-Home Care has offices throughout California including: Campbell, CA, Roseville, CA, San Marcos, CA, and San Mateo, CA.
