The feeling of independence is very important for an individual. We understand if you are like the majority of seniors we come across every day who love the idea of staying in the comfort of their homes. Home is where the heart is, and the idea of leaving your home for a senior care facility simply drains color out of your life.
In most cases, the decision to leave home is taken hastily following a medical emergency or a sudden loss. This forced compromise makes it even more painful and difficult to adjust for someone like you who has never thought of living at a senior home.
It’s time to make a decision!
You may have been avoiding talking about the subject or thinking about it for some time now. But weighing your options always helps. There are quite a few factors you should consider before you make your decision.
- Location of your home:Living at home is the best option if you live in an area with easy access to public transport and emergency care. Always remember that you should not be deprived of any medical care simply because your home is far away from the heart of the city.
- Available support: Do you have your friends and/or family on your speed dial? Can they reach you on time in case of an emergency? It is very human of you to expect help from friends and family during the hour of need. But as you grow older, your needs will increase and it may become a bit difficult for them to fulfill all your requirements.
- Medical history:If you have a history of heart attacks, blood pressure fluctuations, erratic blood sugar levels or angina, it may be a smarter choice to stay in touch with community services. In our years’ of work, we have seen a number of lives saved by timely intervention simply because they could reach out to the right people at the right time.
- Daily work:You have been a home owner for quite a while now, and thus you know, running a household isn’t child’s play. You need to take care of laundry, cooking, cleaning, gardening and paying bills, while tending to the occasional house-guest. This involves quite a bit of hard work in and outside the house.
What are the different types of in-home care facilities?
Not all people have the same needs, and in the same way, not all homecare facilities are the same. There are different services for different kinds of needs.
- Licensed medical professionals: this category includes physicians, nurses, physical and occupational therapists and specialty home aids who usually work under the guidance of a physician.
- Non-medical professionals:they can be your personal health care attendants, homemakers, daily companions and health aides who are ready to help you with your activities of daily living (ADLs).
Who needs in-home care the most?
People with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other mobility disorders are most likely to seek in-home care. If you are weak, have trouble walking and suffer from exhaustion from ADLs, then you should think about it too. 43% of people living in Connecticut sought out in-home care after being diagnosed with some form of dementia.
How expensive is in-home care?
It is quite natural for you to be anxious about the cost of home care in CT. However, you would be relieved to know that in-home care is actually quite affordable as compared to nursing homes and assisted living facilities. They cost about $19 an hour for health aides and $18 for companions.Most providers don’t charge extra for caring for patients with Alzheimer’s.
In-home care is a wonderful alternative to assisted living that gives you independence to do your regular work in your comfort zone. And at the same time, keeps you in safe hands.