At some point you may need to make a decision for your loved one when living at home alone is no longer possible. We often times are asked how a nursing home compares to care at home?
One of the biggest differences is the ability stay in the comfort of your own home. Most people would prefer to stay at home for as long as possible. With home care a caregiver comes into the home to provide one-on-one care whether it is preparing meals, driving to appointments or social outings, or companionship. Caregivers are trained professionals and often times are certified nursing assistansts or CNAs.
Nursing homes offer the most extensive care a person can receive outside of a hospital. Nursing homes are for those people who need continual nursing care and have significant deficiencies with daily activities of life. Nursing homes offer help with custodial care—like bathing, getting dressed, and eating—as well as skilled care given by a registered nurse and includes medical monitoring and treatments. Skilled care also includes services provided by specially trained professionals, such as physical, occupational, and respiratory therapists. If the services of nursing homes are needed, then this would be the option to consider.
These are just two options for long term care of elderly loved ones. There are many other alternatives like adult day care, assisted living facilities, volunteers from churches, and other community outreach resources. The first step is to discuss all long term care options with your loved one before a crisis occurs.