When it comes to long-term planning for an older loved one's care, the choices can be overwhelming. It's sometimes hard to know what the right decision is, especially when you're debating between in-home elder care or a residential facility. Before you make your choice, it's beneficial to understand the benefits of in-home elder care. Here are a few reasons why this might be the best option for your loved one.

Familiar Environment

Sometimes, the emotional upheaval of moving into a residential facility is harder than any other issues your loved one might be experiencing. Leaving the home that they know, where everything is familiar and comfortable, can be devastating. 

When you opt for in-home senior care instead, your loved one can stay where they are comfortable, in the environment that they know. You won't have to worry about them feeling as though they are leaving their entire life behind. This can make the transition to full-time elder care much easier.

Balance of Independence

Especially for those loved ones who only need certain types of care but are fairly independent otherwise, working with an in-home care service is preferable to residential care facilities. Residential facilities need strict rules about outings, curfews, quiet times, and more. These rules are designed to protect all of the residents in the facility.

Loved ones who are still fiercely independent may resent an environment like that because of their loss of freedom. In-home elder care helps to provide a balance between the freedoms your loved one values and the care and support that they need.

They will still be welcome to do the things that they are safely able to without the restrictions that come with a residential facility. Additionally, they will have a care provider accessible to help with the things that they struggle with.

Personal Attention

One of the best things about in-home elder care is the personalized attention that your loved one will receive. Since the care provider is in their home, exclusively with your loved one, he or she is dedicated to treating and helping them. You don't have to worry about the care provider's attention being split between multiple patients because of a demanding residential care environment.

This focused, personal attention can help to avoid medication mistakes and increase the likelihood of subtle symptom changes being recognized more easily. It's easier to notice the tiny changes when attention is so clearly focused.

Customized Services

Contracting with an in-home elder care provider allows you to customize the services far more than if you were opting for a residential facility instead. Most residential facilities have specific care services and expectations, leaving little room for flexibility. 

When your loved one only needs certain services, you can more thoroughly personalize that care and support by working with an in-home care service instead. The contract can be written to cover just the services that you need and can be adjusted later if your loved one needs more care.

Affordable

Many aging adults hesitate to pursue any kind of residential care because of budgetary concerns. With fixed incomes and sometimes limited funds after retirement, the idea of paying for a residential care facility can be overwhelming.

With in-home elder care services, you eliminate much of that financial concern. You'll only be paying for the time and hours when the care provider is with your loved one instead of paying the room and board as well as around-the-clock care that's provided in a residential facility.

When full-time residential care isn't a necessity, there's no reason to create a financial strain by investing in it. You can give your loved one peace of mind and save their, and your, budget by opting instead for in-home care when they need it.

To learn more, contact an elder care provider near you.

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