Aging in Place with Home Care

Nearly 80% of people over the age of 65 want to age in place – in their own home.  There are many different options for people who need help as they age.  The vast majority of seniors want to remain at home for a variety of reasons, but principle among them is the fact that older people are more active and healthier than previous generations.  Seniors are seeking living situations that allow them to maintain the lifestyle that that have enjoyed and/or have planned for in their retirement.

According to the most recent survey of senior care costs by Genworth Financial, the average cost of a room in a nursing home or skilled nursing facility is $104,000 per year.  The average cost of an assisted living facility is $64,200 per year.   This average cost is on the low end – as your need for hands-on care increases, the monthly cost of living in an assisted living facility increases.

Home care is a very attractive option for people who want to remain in their own home.  I visit a lot of prospective SYNERGY HomeCare clients in their home. Most seniors are very independent and value their independence.  I have met countless seniors in their 80’s, 90’s, and even 100’s who tell me, “I don’t need your help”.  Trust me, I get it.  I am fiercely independent.   Home care is the best option for people who want to maintain their independence.   At SYNERGY HomeCare, we do not want to take away peoples’ independence, we want to help them maintain their independence.  Based on research from Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies, 70% of seniors will require help to remain in their home.

Unlike nursing homes/skilled nursing facilities and assisted living facilities, the cost of home care is flexible.  You only pay for what you use.  Home care is a great option for people who value their independence and want flexibility.  You can receive help a few hours a day for just a few days week.  You can then increase the amount of help you receive as your needs increase, perhaps increasing to a few hours every day of the week.

Your caregiver can begin by assisting with housekeeping and household tasks that are more strenuous as we age (vacuuming, cleaning toilets, etc.).  Think of a caregiver as another set of hands to help with whatever comes up in normal life.  The caregiver can also prepare meals and run errands (e.g. grocery shopping, prescription pick up, etc.).  As your care needs change, a caregiver can assist with toileting, bathing, moving safely around your home, and transportation to appointments.

One of the biggest benefits of home care is the personal relationship between the caregiver and the client.   This is one of the main reasons why caregivers enjoy working in home care.   Making a difference in a person’s life is meaningful work.   Caregivers enhance a client’s quality of life well beyond help with basic needs.

SYNERGY HomeCare offers care for just a few hours up to 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  This is 24-hour senior care provided on a 1:1 level in your own home.  This is personal care and attention that a facility can never provide.   SYNERGY HomeCare has multiple options for 24-hour senior care, including split 12-hour shifts, live-in care, and overnight care.