Senior Care in Houston TX : Understand the Resources Needed to Keep Seniors in Their Own Homes

According to a report by the MetLife Mature Market Institute, most people over the age of 45 express a desire to live in their own home even when assistance becomes necessary. In addition, over 25 percent of seniors report that they fear the loss of their independence and moving to a nursing home more than they fear death itself. However, home care is often possible with adequate support, resources and information.

As individuals age, the need for assistance tends to grow, often in accordance to health problems that progressively worsen or multiply. While nursing homes are often the traditional solution for many elder care problems, senior care at home is another option that often allows the senior to remain in their home and maintain a sense of independence, privacy and dignity. However, as with any other solutions, keeping the senior at home requires some advance planning.

Budget

According to the MetLife report, one in five seniors in the U.S. faces considerable costs for long-term care. Most insurance companies offer only limited health care costs and only if “skilled care needs” are included in the policy.

Seniors and their families should plan for long-term costs including a home care companion. This includes changes to accompany the senior’s movement and safety in the home, transportation, entertainment, prescription and over-the-counter medication as well as co-pays, laboratory tests and other medical costs.

Daily Tasks 

Some of the tasks that most healthy adults take for granted but many seniors require assistance for include bathing, dressing, eating, walking, toileting and taking medication as recommended/prescribed. Senior care companions and family members can assist the senior with these daily tasks and allow them to remain in the home through adequate elder care, thereby maintaining a sense of dignity and independence.

Transportation

Another necessary aspect of home-based care includes transportation to and from doctor’s appointments, running errands and visiting friends and family. A senior care home companion, family members or some services that provide transportation for seniors to various activities and appointments may meet this need.

Meals

Many seniors can no longer do the grocery shopping or prepare meals on their own and require assistance for these tasks. Again, this is a need that home companions may help fill, as can family members and some organizations that visit seniors daily to bring them meals.

Home Design

As seniors age, their needs in the home change and could possibly require some modification to the home as a result. For example, an individual may no longer be able to navigate stairs safely or easily or might have difficulty getting in and out of the shower or bathtub. In addition, the home needs to be well lit and clear of clutter or items that may cause the senior to trip or fall.

Entertainment

No one wants to sit around all day with nothing to do, so entertainment is a necessary element when it comes to senior home living arrangements. This may include television, movies, reading, music, puzzles and regular visitors as well as social outings.

The coordination of all of these factors typically requires a person to act as a senior care coordinator to ensure that all aspects of care at home are present. Finding the necessary resources and support to do so is often an expensive proposition. Both planning and saving should be performed in advance as much as possible to alleviate the associated costs and to prepare adequately for the senior to remain at home as long as possible.

For information about how At Your Side Home Care can help your family provide senior care for a loved one, call 832-271-1600 or fill out our web form today!

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Donna Wrabel, LMSW

Co-Owner at At Your Side Home Care

For most of us, the word "home" evokes warm feelings of comfort, security and well-being. For older adults, home also means holding tight to cherished memories and maintaining self-esteem and independence. When illness, injury or age make life a little more challenging, remaining at home in a comfortable, familiar environment encourages recovery and enhances the quality of life. Home can be defined as a private residence, an independent or assisted living facility or even a short term stay in the hospital, we recognize the additional benefits provided by a personal, professional assistant.

Our Certified Nurse Aides, 24-Hour Live-in Assistants and Home Health Aides are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We also provide the security and confidence of 24-hour Telephone Assistance, so fast, reliable help is always available when it's needed. To learn more about our homecare services see our homecare services page.

Different people need different levels of homecare. To meet the requirements of our clients, At Your Side Homecare maintains consistent staffing levels of caring professionals. Homecare service is available for as little as a few hours a week, or as many as 24 hours a day, seven days a week

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