Is your older loved one living at home but struggling with some of life’s daily tasks such as bathing or dressing? Are they finding it more difficult to shop for and prepare healthy meals or manage their medications?
The most common first step when more assistance is needed is to increase the amount of time that family and friends can contribute.
Engaging with a home care or home health care agency might be next if even more help is required, but families may wonder if there’s a time when at-home care is no longer a good choice. Exploring the options can help answer that question.
At-home care or home health care services: what are the differences?
Although the terms are often used interchangeably, the services and providers are not the same.
At-home care: provides nonmedical services in an individual’s home, such as transportation to appointments, assistance with bathing or grooming and preparing meals. Other services may include medication reminders, laundry and cleaning the home. Care aids provide the services and aren’t usually licensed to offer medical assistance. At-home care is less expensive than home health care.
Home health care: also provides services in the home but the assistance is medical and is delivered by licensed professionals. The care is usually prescribed by a doctor and arranged through an agency. Services can include wound care, administration of medications or IVs and therapies such as physical, speech or occupational. Home health care is more expensive than home care due to the medical support from licensed providers.
A combination of home health and at-home care: for when families may find their loved one requires help with both clinical and daily tasks. In this case, both home health and at-home care may be needed.
When is at-home care a good choice?
At-home care might be a sound choice if a loved one is able to live somewhat independently and is in relatively good health. When the hours required are minimal, this level of care can be cost-effective.
It can also work well if there is a family member available who can help manage the care, including tracking any changes in health or assistance needs as well as coordinating hours that others may be contributing.
Other elements outside of assistance, however, need to be considered when a loved one remains at home, including the availability of activities, social events and opportunities to interact with others. It’s helpful to make a list of features that are integral for a high quality of life and ensure there is access for overall health and wellbeing.
When at-home care may not be the best option
Review the following questions to gain a better idea of when living at home and receiving care might not be a good choice for your loved one.
- Is the home accessible for current or future care needs, or will expensive or extensive renovations be required?
- Is assistance with daily tasks beginning to exceed what the caregiver can provide?
- Are the services required exceeding shopping, cooking, housecleaning, laundry, and transportation?
- Are there limited to no opportunities for your loved one to participate in recreational activities or fitness classes?
- Does your loved one otherwise isolated from friends and regular social interaction with others?
- Is transportation requiring more than a basic vehicle?
- Does your loved one no longer feel safe and secure, both in the home and with living alone?
Choosing quality of life
While many older adults may express the desire to remain in their home for retirement, that may be out of fear of losing independence and self-reliance. When daily life becomes more of a challenge or the need for help continues to increase, it might be a good time to consider another option – moving into an assisted living community. Your loved one will enjoy an independent lifestyle plus:
- An accessible residence
- Assistance with daily tasks
- Healthy dining options
- Activities and social events
- Opportunities to meet and make new friends
- Fitness classes for both physical and cognitive health
- Scheduled transportation
- Additional safety and security features
- Peace of mind that help is always available
When you and your loved one are considering the best choice, ask where the highest quality of life can be achieved. The answer will help guide you to the best decision.
Retirement living in Wadsworth, Illinois
Galloway Senior Living, locally owned and operated, provides luxury and quality care for families in our community.
Assisted Living at Galloway Senior Living offers beautiful and contemporary private residences that range from alcove studios to two-bedrooms and include high-end stainless-steel appliances, maple hardwood cabinets, cultured marble countertops and thoughtfully curated décor and colors.
Our Memory Care community offers a family kitchen, dining room, walking garden, and lounge.
Our services include:
- 24-hour certified nursing assistants, on-staff licensed nurses, medication management, and on-site physician visits
- COVID-19 safety protocols
- Assistance with daily tasks
- Readily available safe transportation
- A fall-reduction program
- In-unit emergency response systems including an electronic monitoring system for exit doors
- On-site entertainment and activities personalized to reflect the residents’ preferences
- Housekeeping and linen services including personal laundry
Amenities you’ll find at Galloway Senior Living include:
- Country Café and Convenience Store
- Salon and Spa
- Theater with 85” television
- Activity and Craft Center
- Game Room
- Library and Business Center
- Fitness Center
If you or your family is considering retirement living in Wadsworth, Illinois, we hope you will visit our community at Galloway Senior Living. We are a trusted resource and are here to answer any questions.
We also invite you to download our complimentary information, Family Decision Toolkit: How to Choose the Right Senior Living Community.
