As individuals grow older, their physical and mental needs can change, potentially requiring more assistance to maintain their quality of life. Home care and nursing homes are two professional options that provide this assistance. Here are four differences between home care and nursing homes:
1. Setting
In-home care allows your loved one to remain at home while receiving aid from a professional caregiver. Staying in a familiar space may provide seniors with feelings of calmness, ease, and security. They can also experience increased privacy. When cared for at home, older individuals can have family members who live nearby work with caregivers to provide additional help.
Residents of nursing homes live in designated facilities and use common spaces shared with other seniors. These spaces include dining rooms, activity rooms, and outdoor areas. Nursing homes follow a daily routine that involves structured meals, activities, and regular care. These facilities hire healthcare professionals like nurses, therapists, and aides to provide medical care and assistance with daily activities.
2. Level of Care
Home care services entail help with activities such as bathing, dressing, grooming and toileting. They can assist with housekeeping, medication administration, and meal preparation. Your loved one can also receive assistance with mobility, including transferring them from the bed to the chair or sofa. Some residential care providers offer rehabilitation services, such as physical therapy, for those recovering from illness or surgery.
In nursing homes, licensed nurses may provide more frequent care. This includes dressing wounds, injecting patients, and checking vital signs. These facilities also organize activities like fitness classes and crafts to enhance socialization and interaction. With a more intense level of care, skilled nursing facilities can handle seniors coping with severe dementia or Alzheimer’s.
For many seniors wanting to remain independent, in-home support is a suitable option that enables them to maintain their routines. Home care agencies might ask about your loved one’s condition, mobility, dietary needs, and medication schedule to tailor their care plan. They can also match you with an experienced caregiver to interview and make sure they meet your expectations.
Residents living in a nursing facility may not have free access to come and go as they please. Some facilities enforce schedules and rules for outings to help promote safety. Adjusting to the facility’s regulations, schedules, and routines can take time.
4. Security and Supervision
Residential caregiving agencies can install monitoring systems like emergency alert buttons and fall detection sensors to boost safety. They can conduct home safety evaluations to move furniture and adjust any other aspects that cause increased risk. Your loved one also gets medication dispensers with reminders to help them take medication on time. Nursing facilities have qualified nurses who supervise residents around the clock. Some nursing homes secure entry and exit points to keep at-risk residents safe.
Get Quality Home Care Services
When you choose residential care, you receive personalized care to improve your well-being. Skilled caregivers provide tailored care to seniors, catering to their specific requirements. Call a trustworthy agency for more information on their home care services.
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