Home sweet home: The benefits of home care

Ageing can be difficult, especially if you start losing your independence. Although home care is not suitable for everyone, for many people it offers a very viable alternative to the traditional domestic environment. There are many benefits in this type of care that allows older adults to stay in their own home, in an environment they know, while ageing with dignity. After all, who does not want to stay in their homes as they get older?

Home care is a cost-effective alternative to prolonged hospital stays or institutional care. Being at home helps you feel better about yourself and offers a sense of security and well-being, without imposing a burden on anyone.

In addition, ageing at home means being close to family and friends, people who can offer love and support. A trained home care provider can teach the skills necessary to help with certain types of care without intruding on each other's independence and routine. In addition, having an age-friendly home helps, and much, in these aspects.

Benefits of home care

Independence

Several studies agree that older adults fear more the loss of independence than death, and home care allows to keep it longer. Even small things (deciding when to eat, for example) can mean a lot to someone who has spent his whole life making those decisions for himself.

We all want to be as independent as possible as long as possible. If some attention is needed, it is entirely possible to receive it at home. Even if the needs are great, there are companies that can easily offer skilled nursing services, for example.

Satisfaction

The vast majority of older people are reluctant to leave their home unless is absolutely necessary. If medically feasible, home care is often the best option because it allows them to stay in a safe and familiar environment where they feel happy and safe.

People always feel more comfortable in their own homes, and this allows for greater long-term success. In turn, this keeps the mood high and decreases the risk of depression.

Comfort

Staying at home allows anyone to feel more cared. When we are surrounded by familiar things, photographs, people, it is not surprising that we feel better. Research has shown that older people stay healthier and have a better quality of life when they can stay in their homes. When hospitals release patients and they can return home they tend to heal faster and have better results as they recover.

Affordability

Affordability is another strong point of home care since it is usually significantly more affordable than a residence, whose prices increase year after year. Incorporating specialized care services into the family environment is usually much cheaper and offers the flexibility to work around existing daily routines.

The actual cost of home care will depend on the type of care needed, for example, having a full-time caregiver is one of the most expensive options.

Stability

Home care allows to continue maintaining the role in the community, interacting with friends and neighbors and continuing with the usual routines. There is also a health benefit: routine helps keep older adults involved, helps combat the disorientation associated with memory loss and also improves the quality of sleep.

Flexibility

Home care is a flexible care solution that allows you to have as little or as much attention as you need when you need it. This flexibility makes home care an excellent middle ground between a residence and a totally independent life.

For example, one of the biggest problems affecting older people is loneliness, but if a person is still relatively independent, a residence is usually an unnecessary step. Home care can provide company, without committing to a 24/7 attention solution.

Personalized care

It is expected that personalized attention is limited in a crowded environment, where the staff has several people to attend. On the contrary, home care is completely personalized, adapted to the individual needs of each one and able to adapt as those needs change.

Relieves emotional burden

Concerns about an older family member can cause feelings of guilt, resentment, fear and loss of consciousness, and knowing that a family member is in a safe and dignified home care setting can greatly help alleviate those emotions.

It is important to keep in mind that each individual has different needs and preferences, and the most important thing is to address those needs with sensitivity and perspective.