Margaret smiled as she looked around her cozy living room, filled with cherished mementos from her 80 years. Photos of her late husband Paul, the kids when they were young, and memories of their world travels adorned the walls and shelves. This was her home - the place where she and Paul had built their life together over five decades.
As she had grown older and frailer, her children had suggested moving to an assisted living facility. But Margaret knew in her heart that leaving her beloved home would mean leaving a piece of her identity behind. Thanks to the dedicated caregivers from BrightStar Care of Greenville, she was able to remain right where she wanted to be.
For the 90% of seniors who want to stay in their homes as they age, home care provides a comfortable, dignified solution. In-home care allows older adults to maintain their independence, routines and social ties while receiving personalized support. And with the preventive focus of home care, seniors can avoid or delay more costly health interventions.
The Aging Population Demands New Solutions
By 2030, one in five U.S. residents will be 65 or older. This "Silver Tsunami" of aging Baby Boomers will dramatically increase the need for elder care services that allow seniors to age safely in place. However, the realities of aging often make residing at home challenging without assistance. Age-related vision impairment, mobility constraints, cognitive decline, and chronic conditions can make everyday tasks like bathing, cooking, housekeeping and managing medications dangerous without support.
Home Care: The Preventive Difference
Unlike nursing homes focused on medical treatment, home care prioritizes prevention to keep seniors safe, healthy and independent. Trained, experienced caregivers provide personalized assistance with activities of daily living tailored to each client's unique needs and abilities.
From light housekeeping and meal preparation to personal care, mobility assistance and medication reminders, home care helps prevent falls, malnutrition, missed medications and other issues that can lead to decline and hospitalization. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one-quarter of Americans aged 65+ fall each year, making falls the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries for seniors.
Dedicated home caregivers like those from BrightStar Care of Greenville can spot and mitigate risks in the home, reinforce safe practices, and serve as a second pair of eyes to identify emerging health issues. Our compassionate companionship provides vital social interaction that staves off loneliness, depression and cognitive decline.
This preventive, holistic approach to care allows elders to live as independently as possible while ensuring their ongoing safety and wellbeing.
Personalized, Professional Home Care
For older adults living with chronic conditions like arthritis, Parkinson's disease, heart disease or dementia, specialized in-home care provides the condition-specific support needed to live safely and comfortably at home.
Home care agencies like BrightStar Care employ caregivers with advanced training in areas like dementia care, chronic disease management, hospice care and more. Our caregivers receive detailed care plans outlining each client's diagnosis, routines, preferences and needs. They can assist with exercise regimens, dietary requirements, toileting and transfers, and other personal care tasks.
With this level of personalized, one-on-one support, home care enables aging in place for older adults who might otherwise require an institutional care setting. For upper middle-income families, this level of professional care at home is often more affordable than senior living options when paying out-of-pocket.
The Comfort of Staying Home
In addition to cost benefits and avoiding institutional care, home care provides unmatched psychological and social advantages. Being able to stay in a familiar environment surrounded by cherished memories and belongings provides invaluable comfort in our later years.
"My home means dignity," said 86-year old Phyllis, a BrightStar Care client. "I take pride in keeping my own household and in having the same caregiver come each week who knows me and my routines. I don't have to start over and orient myself constantly like you would in a facility."
The social ties and community connections elders maintain by living at home also contribute to quality of life. With home care, older adults enjoy regular interaction with engaged caregivers and can continue participating in neighborhood activities and events. These simple freedoms maintain crucial links to personal autonomy and identity that are so often lost in senior living facilities.
The growing population of older Americans demands more options to meet their desire for dignity and independence as they age. Professional in-home care provides the ideal solution for senior’s needs – preventive, personalized support to age safely and comfortably in one's own home.
Contact Us
Interested in learning more about our in-home care services in Greenville/Washington/New Bern? Contact us online or call 252.275.6775 to speak to one of our care experts today.