Home, as they say, is where the heart is. This rings especially true as we enter our golden years. Amidst changes and increasing needs, our homes provide a sense of comfort and stability. For those reasons, in-home care services have become increasingly popular – and often offer a more desirable and cost-effective solution than nursing homes.
Just a generation or two ago, assisted living facilities were the expected path for seniors who required more support than family could provide. Today, that's changing. America's aging population, coupled with the high cost of nursing home care, has created a strong desire for seniors to stay in their own homes as long as possible.
Over 75% of retired Americans wish to age in place, according to the AARP. Research from the University of Michigan indicates that seniors not only remain healthier but also live longer when they stay in familiar surroundings, close to their loved ones.
Considering Cost, Considering Care
By 2050, around one-fifth of Americans will be 65 or older. That's 88 million individuals, 19 million of whom will be over the age of 84. As lifespans increase, so does the demand for quality care – a challenge for both families and government programs like Medicare and Medicaid.
Costs vary by state and level of care needed. You can estimate average monthly care expenses in your area at genworth.com. However, in-home care is consistently a more affordable option. Importantly, it allows your loved one to enjoy the comfort and familiarity of their own home, which carries its own benefits.
Home Helpers Home Care of Austin: Your Trusted In-Home Care Provider
If you're seeking exceptional in-home care in Austin, Lakeway, Georgetown, Cedar Park, Leander, Round Rock, or the surrounding areas, look no further than Home Helpers Home Care of Austin. Our highly-trained, compassionate caregivers provide customized support, tailored to your loved one's unique needs. We're committed to making a difference in seniors' lives, and our awards and recognitions are a testament to that commitment.
The Healing Power of Home: Sarah's Story
Sarah, at 82, had seen her world shrink. Once an avid gardener and bridge player, her arthritis and fading vision made those activities difficult. Her children, living across the country, worried. A nursing home seemed like the only solution, but Sarah's heart ached at the thought of leaving her cozy bungalow and the rose bushes she'd tended for decades.
Then, her daughter found Home Helpers Home Care of Austin. Twice a week, Mary, a warm and capable caregiver, came to Sarah's house. She helped with bathing, light chores, and even read Sarah her favorite mystery novels aloud. Best of all, Mary listened to Sarah's stories about her neighborhood and the vibrant life she'd once led.
Researchers have long known that staying in familiar surroundings benefits seniors physically and mentally. Like Sarah, they feel a sense of control and connection that's often missing in institutional settings. As Nancy Hooyman, a leading expert on aging states, "Aging in place has documented advantages; it is found to be related to better health, life satisfaction, and self-esteem.”
Sarah's story isn't unique. With compassionate in-home care, countless seniors rediscover joy and well-being within the walls of their own homes.
Think about these elements:
Healthy and better: Nursing homes integrate many different people in differing degrees of health. One research study discovered that 2 million infections take place in American retirement home a year. "Infections in the nursing home population have actually been connected with high rates of morbidity and death, re-hospitalization, extended hospital stays and considerable health care costs," according to the research study.
Mitigating fear: Another study on aging in place discovered that seniors feared losing their independence and moving into an assisted living home more than they feared death.
Assurance: That same research study found that a lot of child boomers worried their moms and dads would be maltreated in a nursing home and 89 percent said they feared their parents would be sad.
Social connections: Older Americans aren't so various than their more youthful member of the family and buddies. We all flourish on social connections and interactions. Enabling older people to stay involved in their communities benefits psychological exercise, too.
"The need for social support-- informative, emotional, or crucial help from your social media networks-- will continue for the rest of your life, despite your age," Hooyman continues. "As social beings, we need to feel connected to others and experience a sense of coming from a group or neighborhood at every phase in the life course."
Outdoor Activities for Seniors & Caregivers
Everything You Should Know About Adult CareSpring is in the air, and whether you're eight years old or eighty, it's the perfect time to get outside and delight in the outdoors. If you are a family caregiver for an older loved one, there are a lot of outside activities for senior citizens that you and your enjoyed one will be able to take pleasure in together.
"Outdoor activities for seniors have a series of benefits," states Emma Dickison, President and CEO of Home Helpers Home Care of Austin. "By getting elders out of the home, you motivate light exercise, which is a fundamental part of healthy living in the senior. It also offers elders the chance to soak up fresh air and sunshine, which can improve physical and psychological health.".
Here are Home Helpers Home Care of Austin's top activities for elders and caretakers to enjoy this spring
Picnics
There's no more quintessential outside activity than a picnic. Whether you're taking pleasure in a meal for 2 in the yard or meeting with good friends for a feast in the park, a picnic is the ideal way to get an elderly loved one outdoors into the fresh air. What's more, it offers the possibility to pack healthy snacks like fruits and omega 3-rich foods.
Fruit Picking
If you live in a location with great deals of regional farming, you might be able to benefit from pick-your-own fruit farms. Choosing your own fruit-- whether those fruits are apples, strawberries, raspberries, or another range-- uses the benefits of exercise, the outdoor, and stocking up on healthy foods.
Gardening
Among the most popular outside activities for older grownups is gardening for elders. It's also one of the very best methods for senior citizens to stay active. While some individuals do not actually think about gardening as workout, it is an exceptional method for senior citizens to preserve strength and make light aerobic activity a part of daily life.
Walks
Whether you're taking a five-minute stroll or a daylong walking, going out for a walk can be a fantastic way to take in the world, get some fresh air, and step far from tension and distractions. It's also among the most recommended kinds of light exercise by health specialists.
Outside Theater & Music
Even if you live in a town, there's a great chance that local companies place on outdoor plays and events that you and your loved one will have the ability to enjoy. Whether you're going out to see outside community theater or taking in an open air music celebration, this can be a fantastic way to take in culture and sunlight simultaneously. One popular (and frequently free) option: Shakespeare in the park.
Birdwatching
While birdwatching isn't for everybody, many seniors discover it to be a singularly satisfying activity. Birdwatching is one of the very best outside activities for senior citizens who wish to get in touch with nature. Lots of birdwatchers discover that it's a soothing, therapeutic experience.
Ultimately, the decision between in-home care and a nursing home is deeply personal. Yet, the evidence is clear: when feasible, aging in the familiar embrace of home offers numerous advantages. From better health outcomes to the preservation of independence and cherished routines, in-home care empowers seniors to live their best lives.
If you're exploring this path for yourself or a loved one, Home Helpers Home Care of Austin is here to help. We believe seniors deserve not just care, but compassion, respect, and the opportunity to thrive within their own homes. Contact us today to discover how we can support your family's journey.