In-home care solutions for seniors
In recent years, the way we look at seniors has changed. The days of treating seniors in specialized facilities are gone in favor of providing them with support in their living environment, in other words, in their own homes.
To respect the strong feelings and emotional attachments seniors have in relation to their homes, in-home care is now prioritized whenever possible. For seniors to remain in their homes, it’s necessary to evaluate their financial situation, their state of health and their level of independence in order to determine the solution that’s most suitable, safe and compassionate.
Staying in their homes: the preferred choice of seniors
We’ve been aware of the proven benefits of in-home care for quite some time. First and foremost? Morale. By remaining at home, seniors can maintain their familiar surroundings, their habits, their neighbors, and their favorite shops and other places they frequent. These elements are reassuring and can help them avoid the onset of depression, among other afflictions. Unfortunately, sometimes it’s necessary to place our loved ones in a facility for their own health and safety, but there can be no doubt that such a disruption in their daily lives comes with its share of worries and regrets.
Placement in a facility is far from the preferred choice of most seniors. While they’re often aware of their loss of independence and the risks it entails, they’re also willing to consider solutions that would allow them to continue living in an environment that’s familiar and reassuring. Providing them with an opportunity to discuss the various alternatives and express their views is a show of respect that lets them know that their opinions matter
Another advantage of in-home care is that it’s a lot less expensive than care at a facility, even when it includes assistance and support services like adaptations, visits from a nurse, assistance with housekeeping or meal preparation.
As you can see, when the situation allows, in-home care should be encouraged in order to better address the material, moral and social comfort of the senior, and especially his or her desire to remain at home.
What types of in-home support are available?
In-home services touch on a number of different areas of everyday life. Before embarking on an extensive search, there are certain questions you should ask yourself regarding your loved one and his or her state of health:
- What exactly are their needs?
- What is their degree of independence?
- What friends or family members can come assist them, if necessary, and for what types of tasks?
- How much will it cost for the services and any adaptations that may be necessary to ensure their safety and security?
- What types of government assistance do they qualify for?
- What kind of financial assistance can their friends or family provide, if necessary?
Once you’ve established the needs and expectations, you’ll be better prepared to select the services that will be necessary:
Domestic assistance, which includes services such as housekeeping, laundry, meal preparation, grocery shopping and other errands (for example, accompanying clients to the supermarket, bank or pharmacy).
Home adaptations to prevent falls and facilitate mobility: handrails, ramps, a raised bed, non-slip surfaces, etc.
Nursing care, medical care and assistance with personal hygiene following a loss of independence or a hospitalization.
Rehabilitation, including occupational therapy, physical therapy, respiratory therapy and nutrition services.
Assistance with everyday activities, such as accompanying clients to appointments or reminding them to take their medication.
To make an informed decision that will guarantee well-being, safety and peace of mind, you can contact the professionals at Elite Comfort Health Care. Their goal is the same as yours: to take care of your loved one and establish a relationship built on trust that begins at the very first contact and continues for the duration of the support services they provide.
Source: Government of Quebec. Coping with a Loss of Independence. 2021.
