In-Home Healthcare Or Residential Facility: Which Should You Choose?
Injuries and illness are only two of the many situations that impair an individual’s ability to care adequately for themselves. In-home healthcare or residential facility: which should you choose when assistance is needed? Pegasus healthcare specialists offer these guidelines for making the best choice for you or your loved one.
Begin by evaluating how much care is needed. One way to start is by listing the areas in which help is necessary. Observe the extent of assistance involved in accomplishing each task or activity.
Is someone merely standing by enough? Is minimal assistance enough for safety? Or is close supervision required?
Families and friends are often eager to help loved ones. Beware of initial enthusiasm, because it can quickly wane. Inexperienced helpers often don’t realize how demanding caregiving is.
You also need to consider the ability of volunteer helpers. Do they have the physical, mental, and emotional stamina to provide the level of care needed? Can they do so for an indefinite period of time?
Home Healthcare Allows Individuals To Age In Place
Comparing what is needed with what is available provides a guideline for obtaining professional services. Because most individuals prefer to age in place, in-home health care is the answer for many.
Living at home benefits health in a variety of ways. Individuals can maintain their own schedules in familiar surroundings. Importantly, they aren’t exposed to the illnesses or diseases common in even the best of facilities.
Additionally, individuals receiving home care tend to experience better health. They enjoy higher quality of life and feel happier than individuals in facilities. That translates to significantly fewer visits to doctors.
In-Home Care Offers Many Options
In-home healthcare offers the support needed for aging in place. Services include every level of care, all in the comfort of home. Options range from hourly services to 24/7 AWAKE care, and can include:
- Companionship – means that someone regularly stops by and visits with an individual who is unable to leave home and doesn’t have family or friends available. This is often a part of other care services provided, but may be a stand-alone service.
- Personal care – help with activities such as bathing, mobility assistance, grooming, hygiene, and medication management.
- Household – help with meal preparation, shopping, housekeeping, and other non-personal care tasks. In some cases, it can include light gardening or other outdoor maintenance and pet care.
- Transportation – help with keeping medical appointments and participating in social activities.
- Recovery care – help with transitioning from a hospital to home after surgery or acute illness. It also includes recovering from accidents and is often short-term.
- Skilled nursing care – help with wound care, IV maintenance, administering injections or medications, and other complex procedures or treatments.
- Comfort care – specialized services such as hospice or palliative care for untreatable conditions.
Pegasus services also include respite care. A professional caregiver gives family caregivers a break for as long as needed. Respite care is meant to prevent burnout.
In-home healthcare professionals include:
- Registered nurses
- Vocational nurses
- Physical therapists
- Occupational therapists
- Speech therapists
- Social workers
- Nurses aides
These are the same kinds of professionals available in facilities. However, you receive assistance from home healthcare professionals in the comfort of your home. You also receive their undivided attention and one-on-one care.
Sometimes Residential Care Is Necessary
Despite the advantages of receiving healthcare at home, it’s sometimes necessary to enter a residential facility. Depending on the level of care required, there are several options, such as:
- Assisted living – individuals typically have private bedrooms and share common areas. They receive help with personal care and medications. Meals are provided. Some facilities provide 24-hour supervision, on-site staff, security, and social or recreational activities.
- Board and care – these are also known as group homes. Individuals may have a private room or may share a room with another resident. They receive personal care and meals. Staff is available, but nursing and medical care are not included.
- Continuing care residential community – individuals can receive care from independent living to skilled nursing in one location. They move from one level of care to another as their condition and abilities warrant.
- Nursing home – these are sometimes skilled nursing facilities. Individuals receive meals, medical care, 24-hour supervision, and assistance with activities such as eating, toileting, grooming, and hygiene. Some provide rehabilitation and therapy services. Skilled nursing care is frequently short-term while residing in a nursing home is typically permanent.
In-home care can be beneficial for individuals with Alzheimer’s or other dementias. Many times, leaving familiar surroundings exacerbates cognitive impairment. However, as with other conditions, individuals may need to be transferred to a residential facility.
Alzheimer’s Special Care Units (SCUs) are facilities that provide the extensive care that cognitively impaired individuals require. The facilities are typically secured for patient safety. The staff has usually undergone specialized training.
Pegasus is a licensed Home Care Organization and a Joint Commission Accredited Home Health Care organization. Our healthcare professionals have the expertise needed to provide all levels of care. Our goal is to help you or your loved one live safely at home.
