Home Care vs Nursing Home: Which Is Right For Your Parent?
Do you have an elderly parent who can no longer care for themselves? Perhaps they are struggling with cognitive issues or other health challenges. This situation can be challenging for many families. You likely want to provide the best care possible for them, but you also face time and financial limitations on what's available. You generally have two options if you've decided to seek professional care. A nursing home is an obvious choice, but you could also choose a home health care provider. With home health care, nurses and other care professionals are in your parent's home most or all day. They provide healthcare treatment and other support, like assisting with bathing, dressing, and eating. There are benefits and things to consider with each option.
Nursing Home
In a nursing home, your parent will have a room that is either private or shared with a roommate. The benefit of a nursing home is that there is always support staff available in case your parent has an emergency or other urgent need. They will be surrounded by patients with similar health challenges in a safe and secure environment. A nursing home can also relieve the burden of care that may have been placed on you and other relatives. You can manage other aspects of your life with the confidence that your parent is being cared for.
Of course, there are some important considerations with a nursing home. You can't be there at all times, so you may not be fully aware of the level of care that your parent is receiving. The transition to the nursing home could be challenging for your parent, especially if they suffer from a cognitive disorder like Alzheimer's. Your parent could miss their home and their time with friends and family. A nursing home can be an effective solution, but it can also be costly and a difficult transition for everyone.
Home Care
With home care, a skilled nurse or care professional comes to your parent's home to provide treatment and support. The care can be catered to your parent's needs. If they need medical treatment, you may hire a nurse to visit. If they need help with basic living activities, you may only need a care professional, which could be more affordable. The benefit of home care is that your parent gets to stay in their home. There is no transition to a new place. You can visit anytime you want so you are fully aware of the care they are receiving. Many family members become friends with their parent's in-home care professionals.
Home care can be costly, but you can customize the care to fit your needs and budget. You can opt for 24-hour home health care. Or you could have a professional in the home during the day while you're at work, and then you and family members handle the evening shifts. You can also have a care professional visit part-time if your parent has some ability to care for themselves.
Contact a 24-hour home care service today to learn more about your options. They can help you find the right care plan for your parent.