As the child of an aging adult, you probably know that your parents want to age at home instead of a long-term care facility. The truth is, most seniors want to live in their own homes for as long as possible – for a number of reasons. Our aging parents have often spent years turning a house into a home, so it’s where they are the most familiar and comfortable. Living at home also offers purpose and meaning to a person’s life. Something as basic as looking at your possessions, reading the newspaper, or unwinding on the back deck are more meaningful at home than in a long-term care facility because it is the home that creates the framework of life. Home offers a comfort of privacy and tranquility that can’t be matched.
However, many people, old and young alike, are under the false impression that life in a nursing home or assisted living facility is unavoidable for the elderly. Can in-home elder care services really be a viable option? Actually, in-home care services can be a very effective long-term solution for many. Residing at home offers not only the enjoyment of familiar surroundings and independence from controlled schedules, but according to Genworth’s Cost of Care Survey, home care can be a much more affordable option as well.
To figure out whether or not an aging loved one may benefit from the help of in-home elder care services instead of making the significant decision to sell their home and move into a nursing home or assisted living facility, start paying attention to the level of functioning in the following two areas:
- Activities to Maintain Independence: These are activities that include planning and preparing meals, managing money (writing checks, paying bills), shopping for groceries or personal items, managing a residence/taking care of household chores, properly taking medications, using a phone, taking care of mail and transportation by a personal vehicle or public transportation.
- Standard Activities of Daily Living: These activities are crucial to caring for oneself, such as taking a shower, putting on clothes, getting up out of a bed or a chair, using the restroom, eating and walking.
Could an aging adult you love benefit from home care services in Burbank or the nearby areas? Happier Home Care can help you identify your senior care options. Our experienced and thoroughly trained staff provide you with an alternative to a nursing home or assisted living facility. Contact us online or at 818-651-6679 with any questions.