As people reach old age, going about their everyday lives can become increasingly difficult. Seniors may avoid preparing meals for themselves, fearing the danger it presents, and they may feel unsafe conducting personal care tasks on their own. But with the proper care and assistance, seniors can safely continue with their daily lives.
Assisted living facilities and nursing homes are an option for elderly individuals, but they have become less appealing to the current generation. In fact, seniors are increasingly deciding to age in place, preferring to remain in the comfortable and familiar environment of their home.
However, with in-home care still growing in popularity, family members may feel hesitant about getting such help for their elderly loved one. There are various home care myths out there, but it is important to know the truth so that seniors can take advantage of home care services and receive the care they need.
Continue reading to learn more about myths concerning home care.
1. Home care is very costly
The 2019 national Cost of Care Survey from Genworth found that the median monthly cost for in-home care is $4385. In contrast, assisted living facility monthly median costs were $4051 while a private room at a nursing facility had a monthly median cost of $8517.
While the cost for elderly care at home is not cheap, it can be a more affordable option than a senior home. With insurance coverage and Medicaid, the costs can be even cheaper.
2. Home care is only for severely ill individuals.
Home care can be especially beneficial for those individuals who have a terminal illness, but these services are not only for them. In fact, there are both medical and non-medical home care services available that can benefit all seniors. If you have an elderly relative who is not sick but still needs non-medical help, then there is an in-home care service that can fit their needs.
There are non-medical home care services in which caregivers provide assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) and conduct daily meal preparation. Caregivers can be hired to help on either a full-time or part-time basis depending on the senior’s needs. They also provide companionship to their clients, ensuring that even seniors who live alone do not feel lonely. There are also post-operative care services to help people recover from an injury or surgery regardless of their age.
So even if your elderly loved ones are of good health, they can still find in-home care services to be beneficial and worthwhile.
3. In-home caregivers cannot be trusted.
Whenever you are letting someone new into your home or getting to know someone, it is fair to proceed with caution. This can be especially so with your elderly loved ones if you fear that someone might take advantage of them. As such, families may feel wary of hiring an in-home caregiver to assist their elderly relatives.
For example, caregivers are let into the client’s home, so you may fear that they will steal from your loved ones or even abuse them. If you hire a professional caregiver from a reputable agency, then this is not something to be concerned about.
The best home care agencies will have all caregivers undergo a thorough background check prior to employment. Take time to research the home care agencies you are considering. Ask about the caregiver’s background, qualifications, and training as well as if their caregivers are bonded, insured, and licensed.
By taking these steps, you can ensure that the in-home caregiver you hire for your loved one is someone you can trust and rely on.
4. Home care is not an option for those who need 24/7 care.
In some cases, seniors have an illness or condition that necessitates 24-hour home care. In such a case, you may believe that home care services will not be sufficient to meet your loved one’s care needs. But this is not the case.
There are numerous types of elderly care services available to accommodate various care needs, including 24/7 care. Care services can be provided on a full-time or part-time basis, and care plans can be customized to meet the client’s specific needs. If a senior needs 24-hour home care or live-in care, a home care agency can arrange for that.
5. Home care isn’t necessary if there’s already a family caregiver.
Some elderly individuals are fortunate enough to have relatives who can act as their family caregiver. This is a great situation because there is already a familiarity and comfort between the two parties. Adult children and other relatives might help out their elderly loved one by helping with personal care and hygiene tasks, cooking them meals, cleaning their homes, and providing rides to appointments and events.
Having help from a family member is great, but it is important for the informal caregivers to take time for themselves. They may have their own job and family, which limits the amount of time and care they can devote to their elderly loved one. With hired respite care help, a professional caregiver can provide assistance when the family caregiver is unavailable and follow the care plan already in place.
Contact Assisting Hands for Elderly Care
If you or an elderly loved one is considering in-home care, then Assisting Hands Home can help through our elderly care services in Hollywood, FL, and the neighboring communities.
Our senior home care services provide seniors with the non-medical home health care they need to live safely and comfortably at home. We customize the care plan to the client, ensuring their needs are met. All of the caregivers we employ have passed a background check and are properly bonded, insured, and licensed.
You can trust Assisting Hands to provide exceptional home care services in a compassionate and respectful manner.
Get a Free Consultation
Give us a call at (954) 859-2271 to schedule a free, in-home consultation regarding our home care services in the Hollywood, FL area.
