Aging in Place: A Graceful Age at Home
"Just look at that amazing view," Miriam sighed contentedly, gazing out the wall of windows at the lush gardens she had lovingly tended for decades. Her cozy living room, saturated in warm sunlight, transported her back to the joyful memories of reading books in that very spot with her grandchildren snuggled beside her. Though she now needed some assistance getting around, Miriam had no desire to leave her beloved home of 50 years for an unfamiliar institution. Thanks to her family's support and professional home care, she could go on enjoying life's simple pleasures while aging with dignity.
For the vast majority of older adults, there's no place quite like home. Around 90% of seniors want to live out their days in their current residence for as long as possible. However, achieving that goal often requires thoughtful planning and care to accommodate evolving needs. Fortunately, BrightStar Care of Cumberland has emerged as an excellent solution for aging in place with comfort, security and independence.
The Steep Price of Long-Term Care Facilities
While senior living communities and nursing homes were once seen as the default path for elderly care, their sky-high costs have made them unattainable for many. Besides the exorbitant expenses that can rapidly deplete lifetime savings, institutional care also forces seniors to give up their prized homes full of cherished memories and possessions. It's no wonder that more older adults are choosing to look at alternative options to preserve their finances, independence and quality of life.
The Home Care Advantage
Home care has emerged as an affordable solution that allows seniors to remain in their homes while receiving compassionate personal care and skilled nursing services. The average cost for a home health aide is just $25 per hour nationwide. Even for those requiring around-the-clock care, home care is generally far more economical than facility-based alternatives.
Moreover, home care has evolved well beyond merely providing basic custodial services for the severely disabled. Agencies like BrightStar Care of Cumberland now offer a robust range of medical and non-medical services aimed at prevention and promoting independence through personalized care plans.
Instead of solely responding to crises, home care helps seniors live enriched lives by providing the support they need to manage chronic conditions, recover from illness or injury, and prevent future decline. Services may include:
- Skilled nursing care for medication management, wound care, injections and other clinical needs
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Physical and occupational therapy to rebuild strength, mobility and functionality
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Personal care assistance with bathing, dressing, hygiene and mobility
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Transportation and accompaniment to appointments and activities
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Light housekeeping, meal preparation and other homemaking services
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Companionship to combat social isolation and loneliness
This holistic approach focused on preventative care has been shown to foster far better health outcomes than institutionalization. One study found that seniors receiving home-based services had significantly higher self-rated health status and lower hospitalization rates than those in nursing facilities.
Personalized Care for Every Stage
A key advantage of home care is the ability to customize services to meet each person's unique needs and preferences as they evolve over time. A professional home care agency will work closely with each family to conduct a comprehensive assessment and design an individualized care plan.
For one client, that might mean occasional companionship and light housekeeping. For another, it might entail 24/7 live-in care, skilled nursing, physical therapy and more. As needs change, the home care plan adapts seamlessly to continue delivering compassionate, comprehensive support right in the comfort of home.
In addition to the care itself, home care provides invaluable peace of mind for families. With professional caregivers keeping a close watch, issues like medication non-adherence, mobility problems, nutrition deficits or cognitive decline can be caught quickly before a crisis occurs.
For those with the financial means, home care allows affluent seniors to experience the comfort, security and enrichment of aging in their own cherished homes and communities. Compared to the sterile, impersonal environment of an institution, home provides a sanctuary surrounded by decades of treasured memories and possessions. With home care, you or your loved one can go on living life with dignity and grace in familiar surroundings. Isn't that the golden years we all hope for?
Contact Us
Interested in learning more about our in-home care services in State College? Contact us online or call 814.325.9699 to speak to one of our care experts today.