Many people find that staying at home with some help can be more advantageous than moving into an assisted living facility or nursing home. Seniors with physical or cognitive issues can often maintain independence in their homes when professional caregivers come into their home to offer the necessary support.
Full-Time Care
Full-time care involves a live-in caregiver staying in the senior’s home, usually providing round-the-clock assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) like bathing, dressing and eating.
The cost of full-time home care will depend on the services needed and how often they are required. If a senior requires only a few short visits each week, they may be able to receive enough assistance for less than $1,000 per month.
When interviewing potential home care workers, be sure to ask a variety of questions. Make it crystal clear what type of assistance your family requires and their expectations.
Short-Term Care
Short-term care is a type of medical aftercare that assists seniors in recovering from surgery, illness or injury. This could last anywhere from a few days to several months depending on the senior’s health condition.
In addition to unskilled assistance, some short-term caregivers can offer skilled nursing care such as dressing wounds, aiding with medication dispensing and monitoring vital signs. These services are usually required after a major medical event such as a stroke or severe illness.
The purpose of short-term home care is to facilitate a senior’s recovery and enable them to return to their normal lifestyle. This may include meal preparation, companionship, light housekeeping duties and errands/transportation.
Long-term care is more comprehensive, providing assistance for seniors with chronic or progressive health conditions like Parkinson’s disease, dementia or a devastating stroke. When family members can no longer provide personal care, long-term care can provide much needed assistance.
Respite Care
Caring for an elderly loved one can be both a challenging and rewarding role, but it also has the potential to lead to physical and emotional burnout if not given time to rest and recharge.
Respite care gives caregivers a break from their duties so they can rest, visit friends and family, or take a vacation. This can be beneficial to both the caregiver and senior they are caring for.
Respite care can be provided at home or through a short-term stay in a senior community like a nursing home. Generally, this type of service is more budget friendly than full-time senior home care.
When searching for respite care, it’s essential to research all options thoroughly and select a provider you trust. Start by identifying your senior’s needs and preferences. Then make a list of nearby respite providers and research each one thoroughly. Be sure to ask the right questions during interviews to confirm they can provide the level of service required.
Mobility Support
No matter where your senior lives, whether they reside in a retirement community or their own home, mobility issues can make getting around difficult. In-home care services are often an ideal solution as they provide assistance with everyday tasks that may be too burdensome to do alone.
When your loved one requires assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing or transferring from their wheelchair, our team of RNs, LPNs, Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, Medical Social Workers and Home Health Aides can ensure they have the necessary equipment to get around safely. Additionally, we provide fall risk assessments so seniors remain secure in their home at all times.
We conducted a study to assess the usability, user satisfaction and price-performance ratio of smart home solutions and traditional mobility supporting aids installed in homes for elderly or partially care dependent tenants (> 65 years). Data were collected from 27 tenants whose apartments had both integrated smart home and conventional solutions installed.