Which Is Better Home Care VS Nursing Home?
In life, there are times when you have to decide for your elder loved ones whether they should stay in-home care or in a nursing home. It is perfectly okay to ask for help when you are taking care of an elderly person at home. Making such decisions are not easy because it is about someone you love and who has been a part of your life for so long.
As people get old, they tend to have different attitudes. Some elders don’t want to leave home because they are too attached to their family members but then there are people who want to socialize and feel alone at home.
Some elders need medical care and assistance 24/7 while some can live without much supervision. All of these things contribute to deciding which one is better. Home care or Nursing home?
Surely home care seems a better choice because elderlies get to be with their families, but UK elderly companionship services are available for elderly patients who need medical assistance 24/7.
Here we will be discussing the main differences between in-home care and nursing homes and their pros and cons. Depending on different factors, this guide will help you decide which option is good for you.
Read Also:How to Sue a Nursing Home for Bed Sores and Abuse
Home Care Vs. Nursing Home
Usually, in home-care, they either look after their elders themselves or hire a nurse or caregivers to do that for them. If you have a few family members and your elder one is well enough to manage day-to-day activities. Home care seems a good option.
But if you are the only one taking care of your loved one, having a caregiver for a few hours on a daily basis could also be beneficial for you. Some people even hire full-time nurses that stay 24/7 and look after the patient if they are very sick.
The caregivers and home aides come from nursing homes or elderly companionship services centers and they are trained to comfort the elderly and take care of their needs. Besides basic medical care, caregivers also offer assistance for hygiene, meal preparation, transportation, medication reminders, and general housekeeping.
On the other hand, nursing homes could be the best option for those who need more than basic care and have no one available to look after them.
Nursing homes allow around-the-clock medical care and assistance for their patients. Nursing homes are designed in a way that resembles a residential setting. Nurses and caregivers are always available to attend to these elderly patients.
The staff is trained to handle their personal care needs, mobility issues, meals, cleaning, and laundry tasks along with skilled medical care and/or therapy when needed. This is a good option because everything is managed timely and there is no reason to stress out.
Read Also:What Are The Job Options For Pre-Nursing Students
Factors to Consider Before You Make the Decision
Does your elderly need assistance to move around and manage activities? Or is he/she able to move on his/her own? Do they require medical care? Do the elderly suffer from serious diseases such as dementia or Alzheimer’s? Does you think they will be able to take care of themselves at home when no one is around? These are all the questions that need to be considered before you decide on home care or nursing home.
Deciding how much care your loved one needs and the level of amenities they desire within your budget can determine what your options are.
Pros and Cons
Here is a list of the pros and cons of home care and nursing homes.
Comfortable and familiar surroundings
Most elders would like to stay in-home care because of comfortable and familiar surroundings because, at the older age, people find it hard to adapt to the new environment. Moving to a new place could be stressful for older people especially when they are suffering from Alzheimer’s and Dementia. It can disrupt their habits and triggers emotional distress as well. These days you can find good elderly homes that have comfortable surroundings. But nothing can beat the peace of your own home.
24/7 Care
When you have your loved one sick and lying on the bed all day and all night, it could be difficult for you to take care of them. Therefore, having someone to look after them is necessary so that you could take a break and take time for yourself. Hiring a caregiver can give you some relief but if your elderly patient is very sick, a nursing home is a good option. The patients will remain in 24/7 care. The patients can be matched with a compatible caregiver to assist with specific tasks.
Affordability
In the grand scheme of things, home care is inexpensive compared to nursing homes. But the services offered there are definitely worth the money. The nursing home is fully staffed while in the home. You need to call someone if you are sick and ask for a favor. Due to expensive services, there have been different nursing plans in some nursing homes. You can choose the one that is suitable for your budget.
One-to-one care
At home, a family member is there to take care of the elders but at the nursing facility, there could be different people for different tasks. The in-home family members can offer one-to-one care which could be helpful for bonding and developing a personal relationships. However, for elders, it is hard to develop an affectionate relationship with strangers at a nursing home.
Privacy
Some people really like to have privacy and for them living in a nursing home with a bunch of other elders can be hard. So, they prefer their home. However, a nursing home could be a pleasant experience for those who enjoy socializing with other people. A nursing home also has its own rules so some patients can feel uneasy while following orders because they are too used to their independent life at home.
Home Care VS. Nursing Home – Which is Better?
Well, it depends… If a patient requires intensive care and your budget allows, the nursing home can be the best option. But if your needs are limited and you’re on a tight budget. You can consider in-home care for your loved one’s needs.
