Most people want to continue living independently in their own homes long into their retirement years. Remaining self-sufficient in familiar surroundings is important to many seniors. Unfortunately, certain situations — a sudden illness, a chronic condition, and the very fact of aging — affect a person’s ability to care for themselves and effectively manage their daily living. These situations oftentimes create health and safety concerns for family members and loved ones. Since most people prefer to be cared for in their own home rather than be placed in a nursing home or other facility, family members often become the primary caregivers, taking on all the responsibilities that go with keeping up the quality of their loved one’s lives. However, when caring for themselves becomes progressively too difficult, or when the responsibilities of caregivers become overwhelming, it is time to consider professional home health care.
Being able to receive health care at home has numerous advantages for everyone involved. You or your loved one can remain in a familiar, comfortable environment, enabling energy and resources to be focused on proper care. Receiving the full attention of caregivers who are solely concerned with particular health needs ensures proper care is given. Home health care is often less expensive than care in nursing homes or other health care facilities.
Every day, more and more families turn to health care services that are provided in the comfort and safety of home. Not only is it the most satisfying form of senior care available, but it can also be significantly more affordable than other forms of care like nursing homes or assisted living communities.
There many reasons for the growing demand of home health care services including:
- Delivered at home. There are such positive feelings that all of us associate with being at home. When we are not feeling well, most of us ask to go home. When we are feeling well, we enjoy the sanctity of our home and the joy of being with loved ones.
- Personalized care. Home care is tailored to the needs of each individual. It is delivered on a one-to-one basis.
- Independence and Freedom. None of us want to be totally dependent and helpless. With some assistance, seniors can continue to function as viable members of society. Hospitals and nursing homes offer more regimented, regulated environments. Home care offers a reassuring, individualized setting that allows the recipient to stay on their schedule.
- Promotes healing. There is an abundance of evidence that proves patients heal more quickly at home.
- Prevents or postpones institutionalization. Few patients choose to be placed in a nursing home, unless it’s the only place where they can obtain the 24-hour care that they need.
- Reduces stress. Unlike most forms of health care which can increase anxiety and stress, home care frequently has the opposite effect.
- Provided by knowledgable, special, caring people. By and large, employees of home care agencies look at their work, not as a job or profession, but as a calling. Home care workers are highly trained and dedicated to the care recipients.
- Affordable. The evidence is convincing that, for many services, home care is less expensive than other forms of care, including nursing homes and assisted living communities. In general, home care costs only one-tenth as much as hospitalization and only one-fourth as much as nursing home placement to deal with comparable health problems.
- Extends life. A study by the U.S. General Accounting Office has established that people receiving home care tend to live longer and have a better quality of life than those receiving care in institutions. Not only do home care services add years to life, but life to years.
Home health care services has become the preferred form of care, even for those individuals battling a terminal illness. Society is becoming increasingly more accepting of home health care, which has in turn increased the demand for such services over the past few years. If you or a loved one is in need of health care services it may be in your best interest to learn more about the advantages of home health care.