As an elderly loved one’s health begins to decline, hard decisions must be made. Families weigh the pros and cons of at-home care and moving the family member into an assisted living community. Both health services are beneficial for seniors with dementia or who need help with activities of daily life. But, loved ones who are making these choices start with what option gives their senior the safest and healthiest living environment.
Vetted Healthcare Workers
Home nurses must have appropriate credentials to provide nursing care in the client’s home, and agencies that assign the nurses to a senior must screen the employees thoroughly. The vetting process requires the employer to verify all information provided by the health worker. Unfortunately, a limited budget or insurance coverage might make these professional services too expensive for a family, and they may turn to unlicensed workers that provide services independently.
In assisted living homes, all the medical staff must have proper licenses to provide nursing services. The communities meet federal regulations and follow strict practices when hiring nurses and staff. The elderly person has more access to credible healthcare workers by moving into these communities.
Can the Senior Manage The Family Home Alone?
The purpose of downsizing and selling the family home is to take the extra stress off the parent, and family members recommend new housing choices during the sale of the home. Elderly homeowners can’t perform home maintenance tasks themselves. A limited monthly income stops the homeowners from hiring professionals to do repairs, and the home’s condition deteriorates.
In an assisted living community, residents aren’t responsible for property maintenance or paying for repairs. After they sell the family home, moving into the community gives the seniors more freedom and won’t tap into their savings as managing the family home would.
A Nurse Companion vs. New Friends Their Age
At-home care sets the elderly person up with a nurse who stays during the day while their family is working, but if the person lives alone, they need a nurse to stay with them at night. The nurse becomes their confidante and companion they share life stories and concerns with.
A senior who can stay in their home with a nurse has someone to talk to, but they need friends to socialize with. If the senior has friends and family members who visit regularly, they might stay socialized enough to avoid loneliness, depression, and anxiety. On the other hand, if the only person they see is their nurse, this might cause mental health problems.
When a Senior’s Caregiver Needs to Travel
Respite care is available through assisted living communities, and if a family member is the primary caregiver, respite care is a safe way to set up health services for the senior. In the community, the resident stays in a private living space, socializes each day, and receives meal preparation services.
If the resident has an accident, there is a full staff to help them. With at-home care, there will only be one or two nurses providing care, and if the senior falls or gets injured, this might complicate things too much.
Managing a Permanent Traumatic Brain Injury
Veterans who sustain traumatic brain injuries may develop personality changes that make at-home care difficult. Short-term injuries that heal over time might reduce these symptoms. A permanent brain injury causes disabilities for the veteran, and they need more comprehensive care. The exact symptoms they experience determine if home care or assisted living is the best choice. If the former military service member becomes violent, home care is often out of the question.
Help With ADLs
Seniors who have disabilities and cannot perform activities of daily life alone need daily help with these tasks. Families consider the comfort levels of their loved ones when deciding between at-home care and assisted living. It’s important to retain their dignity and privacy, and if the senior still has full cognitive function, home care is the better choice.
Affordable and Safe Homes for Seniors
At Townehall Place Senior Living, we have lovely and secure living spaces for residents and a selection of amenities to make life happier for everyone. Our community gives all residents a chance to socialize and enjoy a better quality of life. Looking for a new home for a senior loved one? Visit our community now.
