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Rather than moving into a nursing home or long-term care facility as they age, studies consistently show\u00a0most\u00a0older adults prefer to stay at home for as long as possible. This may be the right choice for your loved one if they\u00a0only need assistance with daily activities to maintain their independence.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s perfectly natural for your aging loved one to want to stay at home as they\u00a0grow older, where they\u00a0are comfortable and independent. However, it’s important to take the time\u00a0to look at the big picture before deciding\u00a0whether staying at home for the long term truly is the right decision\u00a0for your family. Too often, decisions to leave home are suddenly made after a sudden loss or emergency, making adjustments all the more painful and difficult. Examine\u00a0all of the\u00a0options, and remember to consider the costs as well, before choosing what’s best for your loved one’s specific situation.<\/p>\n
What Should Be Considered?<\/strong><\/p>\n Everyone’s\u00a0home situation is unique, and several factors should be considered for your loved one, including:<\/p>\n How\u00a0Can Home Care Help Your Loved One?<\/strong><\/p>\n You may be used to handling everything your aging loved one needs yourself, dividing up duties with your spouse, or relying on other family members for help. But as circumstances change, it\u2019s good to be aware of the home care services that might be of help. What you may need depends on how much support you have, your loved one’s general health, and the\u00a0financial situation. Involving Family\u00a0In\u00a0Caregiving<\/strong><\/p>\n Everyone has different family structures and support. In deciding your own options, take a look at your own family structure, culture, and the expectations you and family members might have. Perhaps you and your family want to work out a system where caregiving by family is your primary support for staying in the home and home care services are used for respite or breaks for family caregivers. Or it could be that work, health issues or location of your family may not make this feasible. Your family could live far away from your loved one, which might\u00a0mean a local family support system isn’t possible.<\/p>\n While this conversation may not be easy, it\u2019s better to discuss these issues earlier than to wait for an emergency when options may be more limited. An independent opinion, such as a home assessment by a geriatric case manager or consulting with other professionals, can be helpful in defusing family tensions too.<\/p>\n Even if there is\u00a0strong family support, be open to the idea of having help from a home care agency too. Many people have an initial feeling of \u201cnot wanting strangers in the house,” but caregiving can be physically and emotionally exhausting, especially if it is primarily on one person such as a spouse or grown child. Your relationship will be healthier with your loved one if all\u00a0are open to the idea of getting help from more than one source.<\/p>\n Finding the Right Home Care Services for You<\/strong><\/p>\n Once you\u2019ve figured out your aging loved one’s needs, it\u2019s time to evaluate what home care services are right for you.<\/p>\n As you search for home care services, especially personal care, how do you decide which is the best option between\u00a0hiring a home care agency or an independent caregiver? Here are some issues to consider when considering an agency, registry, or independent provider:<\/p>\n\n
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