In the past several years, we’ve seen a significant increase in the number of older adults seeking home health care options. Rather than going to a hospital every time they need something, or checking into an assisted living facility, these adults are working with home caregivers to get the support they need without having to leave their home environment.
So why is home care growing in popularity? And will this trend continue?
What Is Home Care?
Home care comes in many forms, but it always relies on at least one person visiting a patient in need in their own home environment. For example, a caretaker can visit an older adult for a few hours each day, helping them prepare meals, helping them bathe and practice good hygiene, checking them for any potential health concerns, and just spending time with them.
The Advantages of Home Care
There are several advantages to this approach, and more people are beginning to realize it.
- Flexibility and available options. Part of the appeal is the flexibility and number of available options. There’s no single right way to seek home care – and there are many types of caregivers, services to enlist, and options to explore. If you qualify, it may also be possible to use your Medicare benefits to pay a friend, relative, or neighbor to be your home caregiver. Whatever health conditions you’re facing, and whatever your home situation is like, there’s probably a conveniently available option for you.
- Cost effectiveness. Compared to the alternatives, home care is usually inexpensive. You won’t be visiting a hospital, nor will you tap into extremely expensive services. If you can’t afford a stay at a more robust facility, home care is a reasonable alternative.
- More independence. Many older adults appreciate home care because it gives them more independence. Instead of giving up the independent life they’ve always known, they get to remain mostly autonomous, leaning on a home caregiver only when they need the extra support.
- A familiar environment. “Home is where the heart is” – and it’s also where most of us are most comfortable. Few people enjoy the cold, medical environment of a hospital, especially when compared to the cozy, inviting couch you picked out for your living room years ago. Dealing with health issues and the aging process is much more palatable when you’re in an environment you truly love.
- Less travel. Getting home care also cuts down on unnecessary travel. You won’t need to arrange for transportation to and from the hospital, which can cut down on both monetary and time costs.
- Preserving everyday life. Most older adults want to preserve their everyday life as much as possible. They want to continue their daily routines with as little interference as possible; having a home care provider allows for this, while simultaneously offering extra support when necessary.
- Bonding and conversation. Socialization is good for your health at any age, but it’s even more important as you get older. Socializing regularly can keep your mind sharp, staving off dementia, and it has the power to relieve stress and facilitate faster recovery. Because you’ll be regularly engaging with your home caregiver, you’ll have plenty of time for bonding and conversation.
- Personalized care. Home care is also powerful because it’s totally personalized. You’ll get exactly the support and services you need, and none of the fluff you don’t.
Why Now?
Home care has arguably been advantageous for decades, so why is it starting to explode in popularity now?
There are a few possible explanations:
- New options. Newer models of home care are much more flexible and versatile, giving people who need that care more options. It’s cheaper and more effective than ever before to secure the help of a home health care provider.
- Limited medical capacity. We’re in the middle of a major medical professional shortage – and it’s probably going to get worse before it gets better. If you schedule an appointment, it could take days or weeks to see someone, and many facilities end up overbooked. Home care is a way to get the care you need without relying on this fractured system.
- Home focus. Increasingly, we are all spending more time at home. Thanks in part to the COVID-19 pandemic, more people are working remotely, tapping into home delivery services, and doing more things in a home environment. Home is comfortable and familiar, so it makes sense that more older adults would want to receive care there.
There are many reasons why home care has grown in popularity, and it’s likely to continue growing in the near future. If you have an older adult in your life who is starting to show signs of declining health, consider becoming a home care provider for them – or helping them find the right third party care provider.