As many as 17% of adults in the U.S. take care of their elderly parents at one point or another. What’s more, many of them are seniors themselves. 10% of adult children ages 60 to 69 are family caregivers, and another 12% are in their 70s.
Granted, these show strong bonds within U.S. families. But they also highlight the growing need for extra help from those outside of the family. Especially since anyone aged 65 and over is at risk of some form of disability.
This is where in-home elder care comes into play. For many families, it’s a type of care service that benefits everyone, not only the person who needs care.
What exactly are the benefits of home care services though? We’ll take a look at eight of them, so be sure to keep reading!
1. Remain in the Comfort of One’s Home
One of the main benefits of at home elder care is that it’s provided in one’s own home. Your parents can remain at their own home, looked after by a passionate caregiver. In short, they can stay at the place they’re most familiar and comfortable with.
Living in familiar surroundings can especially be beneficial for those with memory-related conditions. In some cases, it’s best to surround dementia patients with familiar things.
2. Greater Level of Independence
One survey found that nine in every 10 seniors intend to stay at their own homes for five to 10 more years. For many of them, keeping their independence is a big priority.
The problem is, less than half (43%) of them already find it difficult to remain independent. Many of them face difficulties accomplishing day to day tasks without help.
This is where caring for elderly parents at home benefits them.
With the help of an experienced caregiver, seniors can get the help they need while still having control over what they do. They can exercise more independence over a lot of their daily tasks.
They can keep their usual schedule, like going out when they want to or staying at home and tending to the garden. They have the freedom to choose what they eat and socialize when they want to. They can even continue the way they used to.
All these they can do while still receiving care from someone who’ll also look after their safety.
3. Peace of Mind
One reason many children are wary of letting their parents stay in their own homes is safety. After all, old age is a common culprit behind many accidents.
There are the slips, trips, and fall accidents, for starters. Every year, three million elderly people visit emergency departments for fall injuries. Of the 800,000 who need hospitalization due to these injuries, many are seniors.
There’s also the potential for serious injuries from and fires. Your aging parents may not know how to spot these dangers, or they may forget they have the stove on.
In any case, these are safety concerns that reliable caregivers can quell for you. With them looking after your aged loved ones, safety will no longer be a worry for you and your parents.
4. Care Services Tailored to Your Aging Parents
One of the benefits of caring for the elderly at home is not having to adjust to a facility’s schedule. In other words, the experienced caregiver is the one who adheres to the patient’s routines. Your aging parents will receive care services tailored to their unique needs.
Let’s say your parents only need extra help in the morning or in the afternoon. In this case, an at-home caregiver will provide them with the assistance they need at the time they need it. If your folks need full-time looking-after, then that’s exactly what they’ll get.
5. Care and Attention Focused on Your Elderly Loved Ones
Home care for the elderly in their own homes is far more personal than homes or care facilities. That’s because the job of an at-home caregiver is to deliver one-on-one care. In short, they only look after a single client at any given time.
This then allows them to ensure focused services to the seniors they’re caring for. So, having a caregiver for your parents means having their needs met faster than if they were in a “home”.
6. Speedier Recovery in a Familiar Setting
Researchers found that stroke patients healed and recovered faster at their own homes. Of course, this doesn’t apply to all cases, including your parents’. But it’s a consideration you’d want to take with the guidance of your folks’ physicians.
It’s also possible that recovery at home lessens risks of infections. No other patients are with your aging loved ones after all. Plus, there’s the calmness and more relaxed vibe that only one’s own home can provide.
Note that caregivers also have their specializations. Some have more experience giving care services to patients recovering from certain conditions. This website has a guide on how you can choose the right caregiver for your elderly loved ones.
7. More Involvement from You and Other Family Members
Home care lets you take a greater part when it comes to your loved ones’ health and well-being. So long as you choose a great home care agency, you’ll have direct communications with their staff. You can have your say about what you think will benefit your loved ones too.
8. Professional Companionship with a Warm Touch
Elderly adults living alone are at higher risk of developing depression or anxiety. This can further hurt their health, leading to many other unwanted problems.
This is where the emotional benefits of a professional caregiver enter the picture. They’re familiar, friendly, and warm faces. They don’t only “care for”; they also connect with their clients at a personal level.
Warm, face-to-face conversations with other humans can do wonders to seniors living alone. They help keep depressive thoughts and anxiousness at bay. This then results in them feeling happier and more satisfied with their lives.
In-Home Elder Care May Be the Right Choice for Your Older Loved Ones
These are only some of the many other benefits of in-home elder care. But they should be enough to make you consider having a caregiver for your aging folks. Especially if they’re adamant about staying at their own homes.
With a professional caregiver at their side, everyone in your family can benefit and feel at ease.
Need help with hiring a caregiver or any other employee? If so, then please feel free to check our .
