When an elderly family member needs quality care, deciding what to do can be a bit difficult. You have to think not only of what’s best for you and your family but also your loved one.

While some families would choose to bring their elderly loved one to a nursing home or a care facility, others aren’t too excited about the idea. For starters, it will require you and your family to make major lifestyle changes. Secondly, your loved one might not want to be separated from you, and forcing him to may only make the situation worse.

This is why more and more families are going for home care services. Aside from ensuring that your loved one is safe in the comforts of your home, you’ll also have the guarantee that he’ll be in the hands of home care professionals.

There are many other benefits for you and your loved one if you choose home health care.

10 Advantages of Home Health Care

1. Your loved one will be safer at home

It is important for your loved one to feel safe and your home is the best place for him to feel so. He’ll be surrounded by his loved ones, by people who want only what’s best for him. Everything around him is familiar and comfortable, so he’ll feel secure. He won’t feel abandoned and alone, which is what commonly happens to elderly residents of nursing or care facilities.

2. Your loved one will enjoy personalized care

If you put your elderly loved one in a nursing home or care facility, you won’t have the assurance that he’s going to get the care he deserves. There’ll be too many elderly residents there sharing the attention of only several health caregivers. With a home care professional, he’ll get personalized, one-on-one care. Full attention will be given and your loved one’s specific needs will be personally attended to.

Your elderly family member and his home care worker will develop a strong bond, which can lead to building trust and confidence in each other.

3. Your loved one can continue to do day-to-day living activities.

If your elderly family member is cared for at home, he’ll still be able to do his day-to-day activities. Although he’ll be assisted, being able to do things that have become a part of his routine will give him a feeling of normalcy. This will allow him to continue the quality of life he has gotten used to, albeit with some restrictions.

Some examples of these activities are grooming, walking in the park (maybe in the backyard now), drinking medicine, and taking a bath. He may even still be able to socialize and stay in touch with relatives and friends.

4. Your elderly loved one will appreciate your involvement.

Your loved one may not tell you, but he wants you to be there for him. Your presence and involvement, and that of the rest of the family, will mean a lot to him. He will feel special and loved. This will also make him feel that he’s still an important part of the family.

Likewise, you’ll be able to constantly communicate with the care worker. So you’ll get frequent updates about how your loved one is doing.

5. Your elderly loved one will always have someone with him.

In care facilities, elderly residents are often left alone – or in the presence of other senior residents. When your loved one is at home though, he’ll always have somebody with him, making sure that he is safe and all right. Home care professionals are well-trained, so they know what the safety risks are.
Slippery floors, clutter, and sharp edges will certainly be dangerous for him. A home care professional can help you identify which parts of your home need to be adjusted or corrected so they’ll be safe for your elderly loved one.

6. Your loved one will have more confidence that he’ll recover.

Since he will be surrounded by people he cares for and loves, your elderly loved one will slowly gain back his confidence. He’ll be encouraged to do his best to feel good. This will give him better chances of recovering.

Aside from being good for his physical health, this will also help improve his mental well-being.

7. Your loved one will get proper nutrition and diet and efficient medicine management.

Professional home care workers are trained in proper nutrition and diet. Your elderly loved one will enjoy home-cooked meals and will never have nutritional problems. Additionally, you won’t have to worry about confusing several prescriptions because your home care professional knows how to efficiently manage the medication schedule.

8. Your family’s emotional support will be beneficial for your loved one.

Being at home will place your elderly loved one close to your family. Anytime you or any member of the family want to visit, you can. There will be no limit to the visiting hours and anybody, even the grandchildren, can be there. This will provide significant emotional support to your elderly – and he will appreciate it a lot.

9. You and your family members will have peace of mind.

If you take care of your elderly on your own, you won’t be able to give him 100% attention. You’ll have work, the kids, and the house to also take care of. This can give you feelings of guilt. With the help of a full-time home care professional, you’ll have the guarantee that your loved one will get the care he needs, while you give him your support and love.

10. Professional home care is more cost-efficient.

Compared to all the fees and expenses associated with nursing and care facilities, home health care is more affordable. Additionally, in some cases, there are insurance plans you can use to help with the costs.

Conclusion

The best benefit of quality home health care in the comfort and convenience it offers, not just to you but to your elderly loved one as well.

About the Author
Sarah Keller is the Content Marketing Strategist of A To Z Home Care, a team of professional home care providers based in Phoenix, Arizona that specializes in long-term care for your loved ones. She enjoys riding horses and camping with her friends and family in her spare time.