Comparing Your Options

Home Care vs Other Options

Many of our aging parents want to live on their own.

For most of us,  Home is comfortable and familiar and they are surrounded by memories and circumstances that make them feel safe.

There is no defined age when a senior may need help. There are many 90-year-olds who live at home and need very little help. On the other hand, there are 60 and 70-year olds who find their ability to live independently waning. There is no black and white criteria to determine the answer, and that is why Veritas is here to assist you in making an informed decision for your loved one.

It’s a hard reality for adult sons and daughters to face:  when is it time to become a caregiver yourself, get help in the home, or move your parents to a nursing home or assisted living facility?

Let’s explore the pros and cons of each living situation so you can be thoroughly educated when it comes to decision-making time. 

Advantages of Home Care
The major advantage of home care is that seniors get to “age in place” amongst their family/friends and surroundings that make them feel secure and happy. They can maintain their freedom.

The common areas we’ve seen with staying at home is they may need help with cleaning, meal preparation, driving, grooming, and other tasks.

However, if seniors need a little  to no help, there are various options available:

• Enlist friends or family. The chore of being a caregiver shouldn’t rest solely on one person’s shoulders. This can create enormous underlying stress with the appointed caregiver while still attempting to balance their own commitments and responsibilities. We’ve also seen many religious communities or organizations have volunteers who can help with driving and preparing nutritious meals. Or you can have meal deliveries to the home.
• Hire in–home care. Home health care agencies such as Veritas Seniors Concierge have compassionate caregivers who can come into the home on a part-time, hourly or 24/7 basis. We provide different levels of care, from companion care to personal care to dementia care. This can provide you with peace of mind knowing that someone is there for your loved one. In some cases, there may be eligible reimbursement options for home care services.
• Remote monitoring. Remote devices are now available for both emergency situations or to remind your loved ones to take their medication. Web-based tools are often available so you can know your parent’s schedules and communicate with any caregivers.

If your loved one wants to stay in their home, you need to go over it with a fine-tooth comb and make sure it is as safe as possible because falls are quite common. Do a home maintenance checklist to make sure any hazards such as loose rugs are removed. Also, it may be helpful if grab bars are installed in bathrooms.

Another advantage of home care costs is it is less expensive than your traditional nursing home costs.

On the other hand, there are many different types of senior homes, all providing different services and levels of care.

• Group homes or board and care homes. Adults live in a home with 10 – 12 people their own age and get assistance with bathing, dressing, and using the bathroom.
• Subsidized senior housing. If your loved one has a very moderate income, there may be federal and provincial programs that assist with payment for housing. Additionally, there may be help with meals and other activities like housekeeping, shopping, and doing the laundry. Residents usually live in their own apartments in the complex. Rent payments are usually a percentage of your income.
• Assisted living facilities generally means that your loved one has his/her own apartment within a building or a group of buildings, but can get help with meals, transportation, cleaning and social activities. Some of these facilities can offer health services on site. You pay a monthly fee for rent and utilities and a separate fee for any extras.
• Retirement Communities.  The beauty of this type of community is they usually have different living options and progressive levels of care. In other words, you can start out in your own home and progress to skilled nursing care when and if you need it. Many retirement communities charge a large fee before you move in plus a monthly maintenance fee.
• Skilled Nursing Facilities. If your loved one needs 24/7 care, skilled nursing facilities have nurses and doctors on site.
• Hospice Care. Ordinarily, for the terminally ill (who have six months or left to live), these facilities primarily make patient’s comfortable and provide counseling for the family. As part of hospice care, you will have a team of doctors, nurses, home health aides, social workers, counselors and trained volunteers to help you and your family cope with your illness. Depending on your condition, you may get hospice care in a hospice facility, hospital, or nursing home.

A common roadblock with the services listed above is that unless it’s a government program or you have long-term insurance, this type of care can get quite expensive.

The most important questions are: How much care do my loved one’s require and how can we meet these needs considering our budget and lifestyles?  Then you as a group can best determine what type of long term care would be the best!