In-Home Care for the Elderly free essay sample

In-home care is more convenient for the elderly, so they can continue to live at home and have the care givers come to them. There are many different companies that will provide the in-home care. It is an alternative that is, more cost effective then nursing homes. Many have elderly family members, who are unable to take care of themselves. The toughest choice is trying to decide who is going to provide the care they need. According to the article â€Å"Public Policies Should Help the Elderly Live at Home†, published by the National Association of Area Agencies of Aging (2005), aging adults overwhelming want to remain in their own homes as opposed to living in a nursing home or board and care center. In a 1999 ruling known as the Olmstead decision, the U. S. Supreme Court agreed that elderly and disabled people should be able to live in the community in the least restrictive setting possible. We will write a custom essay sample on In-Home Care for the Elderly or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Being that I have elderly grandparents, I feel in-home care is a great option with a variety of benefits for the elderly. As children we are taught to be independent. As we grow, we never depart from that. Elderly people don’t want to be a burden to their family. In-home care helps the elderly resume responsibility and be independent with their daily lives. This gives the elderly a good sense of self-worth and wellbeing. They can become more dependent on themselves then others. It also helps them by being included in the process of in-home care. Keeping the elderly active with the caregiver doing daily routines, boosts morale. It also creates a common bond between patients and caregivers. Due to physical or mental health, some elderly needs assistance. Home health care companies help elders to achieve independence for as long as possible. According to Thompson (2005), national public policies should be changed to support home care and community-based services in order to best address the medical, social and environmental needs of the old. In-home care allows the elderly to feel safe and comfortable in their familiar surroundings. It can become challenging, when having to get acquainted to a new setting. Furthermore, with the new technology equipment always being updated, the elderly are able to stay at home then going to a nursing home. The companionship in-home care gives to the elderly enhances their lives. The one-on-one time and just having someone to be active with is refreshing. On a more personal level, family caregivers are taking on heavier burdens, reporting high levels of stress depression (Baluja amp; McIlro, 2012). Families seek in-home care agencies to get help taking care of the elderly. This helps to keep the burden off the family for instance, a person who needs help with daily routines and activities. By the elderly living at home, they can continue with their daily routines. The things they cherish the most and keep at heart do not have to be placed in storage as a result of having to rearrange for a smaller place. Their homes may hold memories, so it is understandable that a senior wouldnt want to leave. According to Baluja amp; McIlro (2012), over the past decade, provincial governments have significantly expanded home care and the number of recipients has grown by 51 per cent. To many in-home care attracts clients because of the ability to have care in the comfort of their own home. Some in-home care advantages are having the continuity of life and ability to stay with family, having loved ones near, can make up own schedule of care, hire for specific assignments, stay in the privacy and comfort of their own home and keep independence. One of the greatest advantages of in-home care is its flexibility. It can be customized to fit the plan of in-home care a senior may need. In addition, in-home care can be arranged for a senior who needs a couple of hours of care from a caregiver. Or, if a senior just needs a hand with housekeeping and errands, a home companion can be found to assist the patient in good quality home care. In-home care can be altered as a senior’s needs change. What’s great about in-home care is that seniors can get that one on one time. In a nursing home the caregiver has to care for numerous of patients at a time. However, at the patient’s home, caregivers are able to attend to the patient one on one.