Mary hummed along to the old tune playing on the radio as she kneaded the dough for her famous apple pie. The familiar aromas of cinnamon and butter filled the air of her cozy kitchen - the heart of the home she had lived in for over 50 years. Though her body wasn't as spry as it once was, Mary treasured her independence and had no intention of leaving her beloved home for an assisted living facility. With a little help, she knew she could age gracefully right where she was.
For the 90% of seniors who want to remain in their homes as they grow older, "aging in place" has become the goal. However, achieving that goal often requires planning and professional support. The good news is that home care services have evolved to make it more viable than ever for older adults to live independently with comfort and dignity.
The High Costs of Institutional Care
It's no secret that senior living communities and nursing homes come with staggering price tags that can rapidly deplete a lifetime's savings. The national median cost for a private room in a nursing home is over $100,000 per year. Even assisted living facilities average over $50,000 annually. Institutional care also means giving up treasured homes full of cherished memories.
In contrast, home care typically costs just a fraction as much - around $25/hour for a highly trained professional caregiver. Investing in home care allows seniors to protect their assets and avoid the upheaval of leaving their homes prematurely.
The Home Care Advantage for Prevention
Perhaps even more importantly, home care has shifted from solely providing custodial services to delivering preventative care that helps seniors live healthier, more fulfilling lives. High-quality home care agencies like BrightStar Care of York/Lancaster now offer a full range of skilled medical and personal care services:
- Registered nurses to monitor chronic conditions, administer medications, and coordinate care
- Certified nursing assistants and home health aides for personal care and mobility assistance
- Occupational and physical therapists to improve strength, balance, and independence
- Companionship to combat social isolation and loneliness
- Meal preparation, light housekeeping, transportation, and other homemaker services
With this holistic model of preventative home care, older adults can receive the clinical and personal support they need to recover from illness or injury and continue living safely at home. Proactive care plans focused on healthy lifestyles and fall prevention have been shown to dramatically reduce hospitalizations and delays future decline.
In-home professional caregivers also provide a valued sense of security and peace of mind for adult children worried about their parents' wellbeing. Having an extra set of eyes and ears in the home allows issues like mobility struggles, medication non-adherence, or cognitive decline to be caught early before a crisis occurs.
Making Homes Safe and Suitable for Aging
Professional caregivers can recommend appropriate modifications and assist with activities of daily living until updates are completed. Homecare service providers like BrightStar Care of York/Lancaster can also provide resources to help make homes safer and more livable long-term.
Ultimately, the ability for seniors to age in place hinges on receiving care tailored to their unique health situations and personal preferences. With home care, that care can happen on their terms, in the comfort of familiar surroundings full of meaning.
The Security of Aging in Place
For older adults with the financial means, why settle for an impersonal senior living facility when you could experience the security of aging in your own cherished home? With the right home care partner, you or your loved ones can maintain independence, prevent decline, and enjoy a high quality of life in comfortable, familiar surroundings. Isn't that the graceful solution we all want as we grow older?
Contact Us
Interested in learning more about our in-home care services in York/Lancaster/Hanover? Contact us online or call 717.714.2015 to speak to one of our care experts today.