Why Choose Home Care Over a Nursing Home?

When our loved ones grow old and begin to need the support of an elderly care service in Philadelphia, PA, it can be an incredibly challenging time. We all want the best for our parents, but when the time comes that they can no longer look after themselves independently, knowing what level of care to choose is tough.

CONTACT US TO SPEAK WITH ONE OF OUR HOME CARE PROFESSIONALS

Sometimes, they might just need a little support around the home with chores and meal prep, while in other situations, they might need the help of a skilled nursing specialist. However, knowing the right level of support your loved one requires can often be challenging and costly.

Increasingly, many elderly citizens are preferring to opt for options that allow them to age in place. There are many benefits to remaining in familiar surroundings if possible, and if you are wondering why you should choose home care over a retirement home or nursing home, we have taken a closer look.

What Is The Difference Between Home Health Care, Independent Living Communities, Assisted Living, and Nursing Homes?

Before looking at the benefits of home health care, it is important to understand what each elderly care option means and the service they provide. Although they all sound relatively similar, each has a unique role in the elderly care industry.

HOME HEALTH CARE

Senior in-home care in Pennsylvania, covers a broad spectrum of elderly care services that take place in the home. This can range from completing household chores and companionship to assisting with dressing and bathing.

Home care can also cover respite care to give family members some much needed time off. Also home care can cover hospice care which can be an incredibly challenging time for families, and professional caregivers will be able to work with them and the patient to ensure they are as comfortable as possible in their home.

INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITIES

These types of facilities are designed for elderly citizens who can look after themselves but want to live in a community where they are with people of a similar age. These communities often utilize home health care staff too.

ASSISTED LIVING

Assisted Living Facilities are a step up from independent communities and are designed for those residents who are still independent, but might need additional support with certain activities.

NURSING HOME

A Nursing Home is the highest level of care and is typically for senior citizens who are unable to care for themselves or are suffering from serious illness and need 24-hour support.

CONTACT US TO SPEAK WITH ONE OF OUR HOME CARE PROFESSIONALS

Home Care vs. Nursing Home: The Pros and Cons

Elderly care is one of the biggest industries in America, and estimates suggest that by 2025 it will be worth nearly $915 billion. It is also an incredibly expensive time for families and seniors, with the below graph showing how annual expenditure has skyrocketed since the 1960s.

With such vast costs, finding the right type of care for your elderly care for your loved ones is essential. To help you understand the differences between senior in-home care and nursing homes, we have taken a closer look at the pros and cons of each.

Pros and Cons of Home Care

Given the rising costs of elderly care in Philadelphia and surrounding counties in Pennsylvania, many seniors would prefer to remain in their home and in surroundings that they are familiar with. Research has shown that staying in place can have a positive impact on a person’s happiness and wellbeing.

There are many benefits to home care, with some of the most significant including:

COST-EFFECTIVE

Senior in-home care is often one of the more cost-effective solutions when it comes to long-term care. The average annual cost for a private room in a Nursing Home in America is estimated to be over $100,000, while in Philadelphia, that increases to $113,000. On the other hand, the average costs for home health care are $4,385.

MAINTAIN INDEPENDENCE

Being in familiar surroundings and away from an institutionalized form of care helps seniors to maintain a high level of independence. Home care is able to work around your schedule, ensuring you can maintain that familiarity and support that you always have.

STAY CONNECTED WITH FAMILY

One of the biggest concerns many senior citizens have when considering a move to a retirement home is a loss of contact with their friends and family. Home health care, ensures that you are able to remain surrounded by those people you love the most, which can help to give far greater peace of mind. A bonus benefit is that family members who provide care for their loved ones can apply to become a certified caregiver and get paid for taking care of their family.

FOCUSED SUPPORT

No matter the level of home care you require, from help with cooking to medical aid, you will be enjoying fully focused and attentive support from your caregivers. That is not to say you don’t receive that same care in a Nursing Home, but in-home care ensures all of their attention is on you.

Of course, while there are many benefits to home health care when compared to a nursing home, there also some negative aspects that you need to account for. The primary one is ensuring that you hire the right care agency. Another important consideration to remember is that although we offer 24/7 care, not everyone chooses this level of service. This means that should something unexpected happen or an emergency occurs, it might take some time for help to arrive.

CONTACT US TO SPEAK WITH ONE OF OUR HOME CARE PROFESSIONALS

Pros and Cons of Nursing Homes

A nursing home can be a vital level of care for some seniors, particularly those who are unable to look after themselves or are suffering from diseases such as Alzheimer’s. There are many benefits to a nursing home, including:

24/7 CARE

One of the biggest advantages of a nursing home is that it provides residents with skilled medical professionals able to be in attendance around the clock. However, this is also a service that home care can provide.

LOWERS ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES

Moving into a nursing home means residents no longer need to worry about administrative duties in relation to their house. Their property can also be sold off to raise additional capital if required.

However, while care homes can provide skilled care, they are also considerably expensive. Research has also shown that mortality rates are significantly higher in people who leave the familiar surroundings of their home.

Are you looking for home health care services in or around Philadelphia, PA?

If you are seeking senior in-home care for you or your loved one, then Sunflower Home Health Care Services is here for you. Our highly skilled team operates across Philadelphia and all surrounding counties, we pride ourselves on offering home care with a difference.

Our in-depth range of services can ensure you do not need to move your loved ones to a nursing home or other assisted living facility. We have a family-first approach, which means we treat everyone we work with as if they were part of our own family, giving you complete peace of mind that you or your loved ones are in the best care possible.

Sunflower Home Health Care Services offers a wide range of services including companionship, respite care, hospice care, taking vitals, housekeeping, meal prep, and other medical needs. So if you are looking for the very best care for yourself or your loved ones, get in touch with our team today.

CONTACT US TO SPEAK WITH ONE OF OUR HOME CARE PROFESSIONALS