As your parents age, you may be faced with the dilemma of how to proceed with their care. Do you send them to a senior center, or do you choose in-home care services instead? To help you in your decision-making, we’ve outlined the pros and cons of both in-home care and senior centers. Read on to learn more.
Pros and Cons of In-Home Care
In-home care means aging in place. Your elderly parents will stay in their home but receive services for their daily needs. Here are some pros and cons of doing in-home care:
Pros
- Aging in Place
Seniors would often prefer to have in-home care because they want to grow old in a familiar place where they can be comfortable with their surroundings. It allows them to enjoy a set-up they are used to, which can effectively boost their well-being and increase their immunity.
- Sense of Freedom
Your parents have been living their lives with full control and authority, and opting for in-home care allows them to continue enjoying this freedom.
- Availability of Help
Another advantage of in-home care is the availability of nursing home care on an as-needed basis. You can hire a professional home care service to help your parents with daily activities. For example, Husky Senior Care (https://www.huskyseniorcare.com/) can provide services such as cooking, shopping, cleaning, drug management, and even personal care.
- Reduced Cost
Since your parents would only need services as required, the cost is much cheaper than an assisted living facility. This is a perfect option if budget is an issue. You can also look at independent living options that might work as well.
Cons
- Preparing the Home
If you consider in-home care, you need to make sure that your home is well-adapted to your parents’ needs. You may need to set up a bedroom downstairs and install handrails and additional lighting to ensure there will be no untoward incidents while you are away. You may also need to install surveillance cameras and home assistant technologies to make sure you can monitor your parents. Adding a hospital bed for your home is one of the best additions you can make to your home that would improve the quality of life of your elderly loved ones.
- Risk of Isolation
While your parents may choose in-home care because they can be close to their friends, the problem lies in a lack of assurance of how long their friends can be there. It opens up the risk of isolation.
Pros and Cons of Senior Center
Pros
- Access to Medical Services
Senior centers typically have various medical professionals to monitor the elderly in the home, including memory care with skilled nursing. They are the best option if your parent has ailments that need around-the-clock care. Seniors can also look into personal emergency response systems for an added layer of safety and security while living in the senior center.
- Lesser Caregiver Fatigue
When you know that your parents are adequately cared for by professionals, you can rest easy knowing that you can take care of your family and focus on your career without worrying about your parents. With high-end services at senior care livings like Vivante Living, you have nothing to worry about. You can visit their website here: https://vivanteliving.com/
- Security
Most senior centers are equipped with security and monitoring for elderly residents prone to wandering around, making them an ideal choice for families looking for senior living centers.
- Companionship
Your parents can benefit from the constant companionship of other residents of the facility. They can foster new relationships and remain happy.
Cons
- Higher Cost
It is much more expensive to send your parents to a senior home because you also have to pay for the caregivers, food, lodging, and daily needs.
- Adjustment Period
Seniors may have a hard time adjusting to their new environment. They may feel isolated at first and tend to draw back.
- Prone to Caregiver Abuse
Some senior centers have caregivers who may tend to abuse the senility of the elderly.
Now that you know what you need the advantages and disadvantages of both in-home care and senior center, you are better informed regarding some of the choices you can make for parents. Consult with them and see what works best for their situation.