Let’s face it: we are all getting older. That also means that at some point we will all need extra care and consideration will need to be given to the benefits of home nursing care vs. long-term care. In this article, we are going to talk about home nursing care, the benefits of home nursing care, the different types of home nursing care, and why home nursing care might be the best option for your and/or your loved ones.
It is estimated that by 2031, 1.7 million (Deloitte, 2021) Canadians will have home care needs. The baby-boomer population is aging rapidly and unfortunately, our long-term care facilities will not be able to accommodate everyone. The Ontario Health Coalition reports that the longest wait time for a bed in a long-term care facility is over 5 years (Bueckert, 2021). So, what can we do about that? How can we help our aging population remain comfortable and get the care they need? The answer to that question is home nursing care.
Yes! There are five different types of home nursing care services. Each with its own benefits. Determining which home nursing care service you need can be overwhelming so let’s look at the five different types (Ministry of Health, 2022) of home nursing care services and how they may benefit you and/or your loved ones.
These are healthcare professionals that provide services such as nursing care, diet management, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and more right in the comfort of your home, saving you the time and hassle to get yourself to a clinic or office. Top Health Care Services In Ontario
These healthcare professionals will come to your home to take care of your daily and personal needs such as washing and bathing, dressing, and undressing, toileting, taking you to appointments, hair care, and more.
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It is important that our loved ones can maintain a clean, safe, and comfortable home. This can be difficult when mobility is limited. Hiring a homemaking service means that your loved one will have someone to complete household chores like housecleaning, shopping, laundry, planning menus, preparing food, and even providing companion services so that your loved one does not feel alone.
For families that are willing and able to take in their loved ones when they start needing home care, this may be the best option to provide them with the care they need while keeping them comfortable, healthy, and happy. There are even government tax breaks that families can use to get financial assistance when their loved one becomes a dependent.
You can learn more about the Canadian Caregiver Tax Deduction by clicking here.
It is also important that when you consider family-managed home care you talk with your Home & Community Care Supports Organization as there may be additional funding that you may be eligible for. While you would be responsible for finding and hiring and paying of your service provider(s) you would have the freedom to choose who is hired, how they care for your loved one, and it can be done on a schedule that works best for you and your family.
For many people, being afforded the option to receive their end-of-life care at home is important. There are organizations that offer these services and can help you or your family navigate the end-of-life journey. Reaching out to your local Home & Community Care Support Services organization is imperative as you will have access to equipment, nursing care, transportation, pain management, and other services that will help you receive the care you need or care for your loved one during this difficult time.
Do you want to make sure that your health and personal care are taken care of the way you want in the event that you cannot speak for yourself? You will want to check out the “It’s All About ME!” planning Journal from Ideal Caregivers 4U that can be found on the Caring Support Marketplace.
The most important advantage is that they will feel safe and comfortable in their own home. They will get to keep their privacy, but also their autonomy. They will be able to hire the services they need and keep their own schedules. Receiving home care services in their own home will reduce stress on their family and the pressure that their family may feel at times when it comes to caring for their elderly family member.
There is also a huge cost saving to choosing home nursing care over long-term care. On average, a private room in an Ontario nursing home can cost upwards of $2,702 per month (Heath, 2020). While home care services in Ontario are politically funded, it does not mean that everyone will qualify. When it comes to paying for home care services you will typically be paid by the hour. Each service will have its own hourly rate depending on the type of service that you need. The chart below shows some of the most popular home care services and their hourly rates.
When it comes to paying for home care services remember to investigate what types of financial support are available to you and/or your loved one. Private insurance, workplace benefits, and out of pocket are the most common payment options for home care services.
Retrofitting a home with railings, ramps, chairlifts, etc., can become costly. If there is no money for those safety features to be installed, they may choose to go without them and that means there is an increased risk of slips, trips, and falls that can cause serious injuries and even death.
Socialization will be harder to have when you chose to live at home versus living in a long-term care facility where you would be surrounded by other people your age. Loneliness and social idolization have been shown to take a serious toll on the mental and physical health of the elderly that choose to remain at home and can even shorten life expectancy (Mascarelli, 2013)
Eventually, as your need for more services increases, it could be more expensive to remain at home rather than move into a long-term care facility.
Read More: How To Hire A PSW For Your Home
The biggest advantage of having your elderly family member live with you at your home is knowing that they are safe, loved, and cared for. This can reduce the overall stress on your family and your loved ones. Plus, there is the huge benefit of increased family time with your elderly loved one. You and your family can enjoy time with your elderly family member, and create memories, and strong bonds that will mean so much to you and your family when your loved one is no longer with you.
The cost savings to you and your loved one can expand beyond home care services. If your loved one is still capable, they may be able to provide childcare for your children or pet care for your pets so that you can return to work, practice self-care, run errands, etc. Shared home expenses are another way that your family could save money by inviting your elderly family member to move in with you.
Related: Family Caregivers And The Important Role They Play
As with most things in life, there are disadvantages to having an elderly family member living at your home with you. You will likely have to make accommodations for them like handrails, safe bathroom modifications, ramps for wheelchairs, a bigger vehicle for transportation, etc. You will also be taking on more responsibilities as your loved one will be relying on you to care for them or to source professional home care services for them if you cannot be home all the time yourself.
If your relationship with your elderly family member is not the greatest, it will add more stress to your family as well as to your elderly family member, and in that care, home care services and long-term care facilities should be considered.
When it comes to hiring home nursing services you/your loved one have the option to hire your own private care provider or go through a home care provider organization such as:
These providers and more use Caring Support to look for and hire the healthcare professionals that will be looking after you and/or your loved one.
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