Most people automatically feel that home care is the best option for an aging parent. who wouldnt prefer to be in a familiar location when they become infirmed ? the answer appears to be yes, but consider these scenarios :
• What about the staircase ? most houses and apartments are not designed with handicaps in mind. what if your dad needs home care because of crippling arthritis but he cannot leave the house because he can not get up and down the stairs ? or what if your moms walker cannot get through the bedroom door ? or she cannot get into or out of the bathtub ? unless your family is willing to invest in modifying the space or adding an elevator, the physical layout of a parents home or his or her functional ability may not make home the best or safest choice.
•Can your loved one get to social activities ? staying at home is great if you are kontent with watching tv, listening to the radio or surfing the internet. but home care can be very isolating. one major cause of depression in seniors is social isolation. so before you decide to use home care, make sure your mom can easily get to a community center or can go on frequent outings.
• Who is planning the doctors visits ? home care means a lot of family involvement. your loved one has one-to-one care with an aide, but some one has to plan all the major activities. the family is still responsible for scheduling doctors appointment and setting up transportation. you must make sure that there is enough food in the refrigerator, the laundry is getting done and the household is running smoothly. unless you are a take-charge individual, many family members find this is too much responsibility to handle.
• Who is watching the home attendant ? if you are going through an agency, the agency is responsible for overseeing care, but they cannot be there everyday. and sometimes your loved one might not be able to report all events accurately. your mom might be afraid that she will alienate her aide if she complaints, or she might not understand the aides responsibility.
Of course, the reverse might be true as well. many older people become paranoid due to failing hearing, eyesight and memory. this often causes them to sense that someone has broken in stole something. in many cases these accusations are unfounded and the missing obyek is found. but is the anxiety and fear that goes along with this causing considerable stresses on the patient, the family and the aide ?
I am not ruling against home care. home care is often an ideal choice. what i urge any family who is faced with making a care decision for an aging loved one is to consider all the options.
This is not always easy. most people are often faced with making care decisions at a critical time and without proper information. this is compounded with new developments in healthcare and changes within the eldercare community.
It is important to do your research. there are many resources out there that can help. or you can consult a senior care specialist who can guide you through the maze of decisions and help you make the right choice.
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