Getting old is bad enough - who wants to have to leave their home in addition? And being a burden on family members can sometimes be so stressful that the emotional strain of staying at-home may make moving into an assisted-care facility a more attractive option. However, there are several different ways that seniors can age in place and receive in-home senior care and assistance in the privacy and comfort of their own home, as an affordable alternative to facility care. Non-medical senior care is often much less costly than assisted-care facilities or nursing home care, as not all nurse aides or care providers are trained medical professionals.
However, home care providers can ensure that all personal needs are met, such as help with grooming, bathing, dressing, and moving around the house, as well as other physical daily tasks such as preparing meals, grocery shopping, and escorting the senior to doctor's appointments.
In addition, there is a personal touch that home care providers and nurse aides can give seniors, and a special companionship that they might be lacking otherwise.
If you are considering long-term care for yourself or your loved one, here are some options that can enable you or your loved one to remain at-home, aging in place.
1) Long-term Care (LTC) Insurance
If you have a long-term care (LTC) insurance plan, but decide, I don't want to leave my home, you most likely can use your long-term care insurance for home care or nurse aides to visit or live in your home. Check with your long-term care insurance provider or find a local home care provider and ask if your insurance will reimburse them for home care services.
2) Part-time Nurse Aides
If you or your loved one does not require full-time care, an affordable option is to hire a nurse aide or home care agency. This is often a more affordable option because the care givers provide non-medical care. The Care Registry can provide at-home care for as little as four hours per week, or as much as 24 hours a day.
3) A Live-in Home Care Companion
If you or your loved one needs 24 hour personal care and attention, finding a live-in home care companion is often as affordable or less so than assisted-living or nursing home care. Instead of paying for medical professionals that are not always needed, care givers can give you or your loved one undivided attention, and depending on the home care agency you select, they can often have a medical professional to call as a back-up, if needed.
The option you select should be based on your specific home care and health-related needs. The burden of getting old is not going to go away, but as long as there are options to remain independent and at-home, the quality of life can be made simpler and better, and that is the best way to enjoy old age.
Ms. Jacobs is from Pittsburgh, PA with interests in senior care, eco-friendly living, and cats. Learn more about senior care in Pittsburgh at http://www.thecareregistry.com
