Elderly Loved Ones Aging in Place at Home vs. Nursing Home: The Benefits of In-Home Care
The process of moving your aging parents into a nursing home comes with many stressors and lots of hassle, making for a struggle that you shouldn’t have to go through. You may have heard of the concept of “aging in place” before, and when it comes to the optimal care for your loved one, it is ideal.
There are many advantages to your loved one staying in the familiar, comforting setting that their home provides as the years pass. No matter what your loved one’s circumstances look like, you can find quality in-home care and peace of mind.
The Importance of Aging in Place: Why Stay Home?
While most elderly people will prefer to stay home throughout their later years, certain factors often get in the way. Things like family caregiver burnout, a lack of support, and social pressure can prevent older adults from subscribing to the idea of aging in place, but high-quality in-home senior care is here to fix the problem.
Senior Mental Health
Aging in place is extremely beneficial for the health of seniors. As your loved one maintains their independence and autonomy throughout the years, their overall well-being continues to improve.
Mental health, in particular, has been shown to soar among seniors as they navigate their golden years with an aging-at-home approach. With the familiarity and freedom that aging in place provides, they garner a greater sense of control and self-worth.
More Access to Family Support
Staying home throughout older adulthood also allows for greater family support and quality time. Having a strong social network that includes family members is incredibly important, not just for seniors’ well-being but for those family members themselves.
For one, it’s much easier to visit your loved one’s local residence than to trek into a nursing home, but even then, should you visit a facility, you have to accommodate visiting hours and other restrictions. That can get annoying and problematic if you are close with your aging loved one and want to see them often. With in-home care, you’re free to come and go as you please, just like you always have.
The Advantages of Choosing In-Home Senior Care Over a Nursing Home
You want the best for the older adult in your life, and to that end, you’ve probably researched plenty of care options for them. That said, you may now know which one is best for them or how to even make such a decision.
Fret not, as we’re here to help you navigate these matters. In-home senior care has a wealth of benefits that both you and your loved one can enjoy, and below, you can learn more about them and why in-home care is so beneficial for elderly adults:
Personalization: Care that Directly Meets Their Needs
No two aging adults are exactly alike, and in nursing homes, that can become a problem. Your loved one, just as anyone else, is a complex person with unique needs and wants, but facilities often use a one-size-fits-all approach to senior care, which can cause them distress and depressive feelings.
With in-home care, your loved one gets exactly what they need when they need it, and there’s no risk of your aging parent being viewed as “just a number.” In-home senior care professionals tailor their care directly to your loved one’s most important needs and desires.
Familiar Environment
Since nursing homes have to support older adults with varying medical needs, they can be a bit restrictive for the average senior. They’ll have to adjust to a brand-new routine, see unfamiliar faces, and adhere to various rules and restrictions.
With in-home care, they can stay right where they are and enjoy the same freedoms they’ve always had. When you choose for them to take the path of aging in place, you choose to keep your loved one somewhere they feel safe and independent.
Better Social Health: Human Connection
In-home care professionals connect with seniors on much deeper levels. After all, they spend most of their time getting to know your loved one in their most meaningful and personal setting — their home — and that can lead to fulfilling and healthy social connections that boost the mental and physical health of your loved one.
Enjoying Household Freedom: Pets and More
One major problem with nursing homes and other senior facilities is that they don’t allow pets, an aspect of such care that can be heartbreaking for your loved one if they’ve bonded with their cat, dog, or any other animal over the years.
In-home care changes the game when it comes to senior pet ownership. Pets offer a wealth of benefits for seniors, including reduced risk of depression and increased motivation, so you should seriously consider the repercussions of separating your loved one and their pet before choosing a senior care option for them.
Find the Best In-Home Care for Your Loved One
Senior care is one of the most important investments you and your loved one will ever make. With that said, make sure you research each of your options thoroughly and ensure that you fully understand the importance of aging in place. You can’t put a price on the human connections that come from quality in-home senior care.
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.
