Making The Choice Between Home Care And Nursing Home

There are thousands of senior citizens around the country who dread the idea of moving into some type of assisted living situation. They don’t want to leave their home and they are afraid of becoming a victim in one of the terrible stories that they have heard from the news or read in the paper. Fortunately for many people there is an alternative to the nursing home. More people are opting for home care and staying at their place where they are most comfortable.Benefits of Social ContactIt has been researched and espoused for years that as humans we are social creatures. We need interaction with other people. Some people may actually be better off living at a facility surrounded by people of a similar age and condition. However, everybody is unique. Some people only need a small amount of social time in order to feel whole. For these people, the routine visits of a home care professional may be enough to brighten their day and allow them to continue living independently.The Plight of American FamiliesBased on the culture of America, many people feel guilty when their parents reach a point of needing help. Most people in their 50′s and 60′s have their own families and careers to handle. The additional stress of providing care for a senior parent may not be feasible for them. This is usually how the decision is made to transfer a person in to a nursing home or an assisted living facility. However, if the parent is not a danger to themselves and simply needs an extra hand with a few basic tasks then home care may be a good fit.Third Party OpinionFor people who are wavering between the idea of a nursing home or hiring private home care it is a good idea to get the input of a professional. An experienced geriatric physician can perform a few tests to determine the senior citizen’s state of mind and overall health. And case managers from hospitals can assess the senior’s home to offer ideas on getting the best type of services for home care.Proper Financial PlanningIt is also a good idea for everyone that is 55 years and beyond to speak to an insurance representative that offers Long Term Care policies. Many of these policies can cover a wide variety of services such as adult day care, home care and even nursing home. Statistics show that more than 60% of adults who are 65 or older will need some form of care during their life. Since one of the main factors determining the price of long term care is the person’s age it makes sense to seek out a policy when they are in decent health and younger. In addition, most veterans are eligible for benefits that cover a wide range of services such as geriatric evaluations, respite care and home care. The veteran or their responsible party will need to contact the local Veteran’s Administration to apply for benefits.