In-Home Senior Care Or A Nursing Facility? How To Make The Right Choice

Is in-home senior care the right choice for your loved one? If you're not sure whether your parent, grandparent, or aging family member requires senior care service in the home or a skilled nursing facility, take a look at the questions to ask right now.

What Kind of Care Does the Senior Need?

Does your loved one need help with everyday activities and household chores or do they need more substantial medical care? If your loved one requires specialized services, is immobile, has a serious medical condition, or has another similar medical need, a skilled nursing facility may provide the comprehensive care they need.

Seniors who are still able to care for themselves but require assistance with some activities of daily life (such as bathing, eating, preparing food, shopping, or cleaning) may have the ability to live at home with the assistance of a professional caregiver.

Some in-home caregiving services also include specialized help with Alzheimer's, dementia, or post-surgery issues. Discuss the options with the caregiver before you choose home-based or facility-based care.

Where Does the Senior Feel More Comfortable?

Provided your loves one's medical team doesn't strongly recommend nursing facility care, discuss which option feels more comfortable with the senior. While medical care is a top priority, the aging adult's comfort, emotional reaction, and psychological state are also key to a healthy lifestyle.

If a move out of their home to a nursing facility negatively impacts the senior's emotional or psychological well-being, consider 24-7 in-home care. The ability to stay at home can provide the sense of comfort and stability your parent, grandparent, or family member needs.

Does the Senior's Spouse Live at Home?

In-home care is one way to help married seniors stay together in a less restrictive or more independent environment. Some nursing facilities may not have the ability to accommodate couples in the same room. If your loved one needs too much care for their spouse to handle alone, in-home senior care is an option to explore.

Does the Senior Need 24-Hour Care?

An aging adult who requires both daytime and nighttime care can benefit from either in-home or skilled nursing arrangements. Both have the capacity to offer 24-7 care, depending on the services offered. If your loved one wants to remain in their home, discuss full-time caregiving with the agency you have chosen to work with.

Which type of senior care service is right for your aging family member? Take the senior's medical, emotional, and psychological needs into consideration before you decide one way or the other. Talk to the professional caregiver about in-home options and make this major life decision along with help from your loved one's medical provider.

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