Staying home during one's golden years is very important for many senior citizens. They prefer living in their home, as compared to living in a nursing home or assisted living facility.
But to safely remain in their home, many seniors will need assistance. For this reason, home health care for the elderly is a top priority for people employed in the health care industry.
Advantages of Home Based Senior Care Services.
Separating the senior citizen from their home is a huge disadvantage for many. Placing an elderly individual in an assisted living facility or nursing home takes away everything familiar in their world. Because they feel isolated from all that is familiar, many elders suffer from depression and anxiety.
With the support of home health care, seniors will flourish and are able to attend to daily activities like attending church and shopping. The ability to stay in a familiar area and see the faces of those with whom they are familiar is very beneficial to the overall health of senior citizens. Typically home health professionals provide support and companionship to elders, by playing card games, watching movies and simply being there for the senior.
Hiring a Senior Home Health Care Assistant
Its important to complete a full assessment of the health care needs of the individual. Most agencies provide a healthcare checklist. When the checklist is complete, it will give an overall picture of the basic requirements of the senior. The following issues are important when selecting a senior care assistant.
Personal
Is the client going to need help with everyday activities such as bathing, meal preparation, and other daily activities?
Healthcare
Is the client going to need help with their medications, physical therapy and transportation to medical appointments?
Emotional
Is companionship, conversation, and being active in routine daily matters going to be important to the senior?
Its important to ascertain the degree of care the client requires to stay in their home. The evaluation process helps determine the degree of care, and the type of caregiver that would benefit the senior.
Additional personal care items may be required to keep the senior comfortable in their home. Manufacturers strive to create senior care safety products to help seniors remain at home.
Affordability
Providing home health care is typically much less expensive than a nursing home or assisted living. Affordability is a major consideration when deciding between home health care and a nursing home.
There is added value because the home health agency screens their employees. The employees are typically licensed and bonded health care workers. Independent workers are usually not bonded or licensed.