Does your loved one need help with personal and household chores for greater happiness and peace? Can you enjoy peace of mind knowing they’re well cared for? When a loved one needs help, it can be challenging for the family. You want them to be happy and independent—preferably in familiar surroundings. But isn’t a private caregiver expensive? It doesn’t have to be!
Let’s look at assisted living versus home health care. These are two ways to provide care, and one lets them stay in the comfort of their home.
Should You Consider Assisted Living?
An assisted living facility is an environment for people who require help with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing, dressing, and grooming. It might offer organized activities, too. Residents typically have private rooms or apartments, a dining room for meals, and other shared common areas.
The benefits of assisted living include:
Senior-friendly environment
Organized activities
Help with ADLs
Some of the downsides of assisted living include:
Must move out of their current home
Might not get a private room
Can be costly
May have to pay for additional services, activities, or special care
Lack of privacy – residents share common areas with others
May have strict policies, rules for visitors, and curfews
Possibly understaffed, which can lead to inadequate care
No one-on-one companionship
Group activities are pre-determined and may be limited
The facility might be far from your loved one’s, friends, relatives, doctors, and place of worship.
Home Health Care and Its Perks
Home health care allows people to stay in their homes and use local support systems. An in-home caregiver can assist with daily tasks around the house and medical needs depending on the type of care. Home health care allows people to receive the care they need all from the comfort of their own home.
Here are some reasons why home health care may be the best choice for your loved one:
All the Comforts of Home
The person receives care at home and does not have to move to an unfamiliar environment.
Close to Family, Friends, and Familiar Places
The individual stays close to neighbors, family, friends, doctors, favorite shopping areas and restaurants, houses of worship, and other well-loved places.
No-Cost Options
If someone needing care has Medicaid, they may be eligible to hire a caregiver with no out of pocket costs. Medicaid will pay a family member, friend, or anyone they trust to care for them. See if you would be eligible for a Medicaid-funded caregiver.
Choose Their Own Hobbies and Interests
There is always the option to join clubs, but they can also enjoy solitude and quiet entertainment at home. Activities are more flexible and personalized.
Self-Directed Care
Self-directed is a type of in-home care that allows patients to plan and receive services they deem necessary. This model is an alternative to traditional managed care service methods, giving patients greater control over the services they receive.
Challenges of Home Health Care
Finding an Available Caregiver
The person may not know anyone who can act as a caregiver. However, there may be agencies that can help with this. If the person needing care has Medicaid BURD Home Health can help pair them with a caregiver.
Knowing How to Get Started
Getting started with something new can be intimidating, but there are resources and agencies that can help make the process simple. Since you are reading posts like this, you are already off to a great start! You may also find more blog posts valuable.
Choosing the Right Care for Your Loved One
Deciding on the best care for your loved one can be tough. It’s important to think about what they need and where they’ll be happiest. Assisted living facilities provide a safe environment with professional help, but home health care lets them stay in a place they know and love—their own home.
In the end, it’s about what makes your loved one feel comfortable and cared for. With the right decision, you can feel good knowing they’re in a place where they feel safe and loved.
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