Is Home Care Right For You?

By Author: Paddy Norman
Total Articles: 101
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Home care is only one of many senior care options available. It can be hard to decide what will be best for you and your loved one. Not everyone involved will have the same needs and desires, and those will change as time passes. It isn't an easy decision, and often someone is left unhappy. So how do you decide what is best for you?

The physical and mental health of your loved one is the main factor in choosing home care or another option. If Grandma is reasonably healthy and mentally alert, but just needs some assistance getting around, then home care might be ideal. If she has several serious health problems, suffers from Alzheimer's or dementia, or is expected to need significantly more help in the near future, then staying in the home may not be best. Other factors to consider are finances, how much help is available from other family members, and what is available in your area.

Physical Health - If your loved one is well but simply weak, then home care can be a good option. Also, if she is ill but expected to make a full recovery, then she might want to stay at home. When she is coping with a chronic illness ...
... that isn't expected to get any better, then it might make more sense for her to move to a nursing or assisted living facility.

Mental Health - Mental decline is something that no one really wants to discuss or even think about. It can be a very important factor, however, when making senior care choices. If Dad is alert and able to make sound decisions, home care can provide him with the physical assistance he needs. If he suffers from Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia, then for his own safety a residential situation must be considered.

Available Help - A large part of the home care decision rests on the availability and willingness of various family members. If you have family and friends who are willing to help out, it makes it much more feasible. You must consider if Grandma should stay in her own home or move in with a relative. Sometimes, all that is needed is someone to stop by each day to check in and a little help with meals and cleaning.

Local Options - It's important not to underestimate how much your surroundings affect your choice. If the lovely assisted living facility five minutes away has an opening, that might be perfect. If the closest place with an opening is a bleak, cold cinder block building an hour away, home care sounds much better.

Budget - We would all like to give our loved one the perfect situation, but sometimes it isn't possible. There might be a nursing home close by that is just perfect - except the cost is three times what you can pay. Round the clock care might mean Dad can stay home, but that may be financially out of reach. It's hard to make a choice, knowing that there is something better you can't afford, but sometimes you have to be realistic. If the price difference isn't too great, you may be able to get some help from other family members. Some low income seniors may be able to qualify for government assistance as well.

Home care is a good choice for many families. Taking the time to weigh your options and discuss them with your loved ones can help you to reach the right decision.

If you are interested in reading more about home care and other senior care related issues, please visit www.OurCareCommunity.com - a free resource built on the concepts of "community sourcing" and "virtual networking". The result is a forum where members pool ideas, share experiences, access the latest expert information, and find creative solutions for all their elder care needs and questions.

Contributing Editor: Julie Sanocki, CNA
Julie is a graduate of the Certified Nursing Assistant program at Lanier Technical College and has over 10 years experience in elder care. Having been a family member arranging eldercare as well as a professional providing it, she understands the needs and concerns of all involved.
For more information please visit:- home care & senior care