In the past, when an older adult’s health started to decline, the go-to solution was often to move to a nursing home or assisted living community. This mindset is still prevalent among many families who assume that when a senior parent’s care needs increase, relocation is inevitable. However, home care services have been steadily growing in popularity and accessibility, offering a viable alternative for those who wish to age comfortably at home.
Aging in place brings many benefits. It allows older adults to remain in their familiar surroundings, which can significantly enhance their quality of life. Without the restrictions of facility schedules, they can maintain control over their daily routines. Additionally, as pointed out by Genworth’s 2017 Price of Care Survey, home care is often more cost-effective than nursing home care, making it a practical choice for many families. At CareFor, we specialize in helping older adults remain safe and comfortable at home, with a team of trained and compassionate caregivers.
Deciding whether home care is the right choice for your loved one requires careful consideration of their daily functioning. Start by assessing their ability to manage two key areas:
- Activities of Daily Living (ADLs): These are everyday tasks necessary for personal care, such as bathing, dressing, moving from a bed to a chair, using the bathroom, eating, and walking. Difficulty with these tasks may indicate that an older adult could benefit from home care support.
- Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs): These activities include more complex tasks that are essential for living independently like cooking, managing finances, grocery shopping, household cleaning, laundry, taking medications, using the phone, and driving or using public transportation.
If a senior family member is struggling with any of these tasks, home care services may be the solution. At CareFor, we offer an in-depth in-home assessment to identify specific care needs. From there, we develop a tailored care plan that ensures your family member receives the appropriate level of support to remain independent and safe at home.
Our team of dedicated caregivers is well-trained to assist with a range of daily living activities, including personal care, meal preparation, companionship, and transportation to medical appointments or social outings. We understand how important it is for families to have peace of mind, knowing that older loved ones are in capable and caring hands.
Choosing CareFor means an older loved one can receive personalized care without having to leave the comfort of their home. For comprehensive home care services, reach out to us at (512) 338-4533 to learn more about how home care in Austin, San Antonio, New Braunfels, and surrounding regions can offer a wonderful alternative to relocating to a nursing home or assisted living facility. We’re proud to support older adults in living fulfilling, happy lives at home.