Nursing homes and assisted living facilities as well as retirement communities are popping up all over the place. Because of modern medicine people are living longer and longer. Some elderly people prefer to stay in their homes as long as possible while others have circumstances that do not allow them to, or they are drawn to the amenities of the other options. In this article we will discuss three huge perks to staying in your own home as long as you can, and how to make that possible.
Independence
Avoiding a facility with full-time staffing allows you to retain independence in ways like preparing your own food, running errands, dressing and bathing, and just making your own choices during the day. Control of your life can be a great way to balance mental and emotional health. A great way to make this possible, is to have an in-home care provider come to help out with the things that are most difficult for you to do yourself such as yardwork or meal preparation, etc. This will allow you to be independent in things that are safe for you to do alone, while also living at home and getting professional help.
Familiarity
Most elderly individuals have lived in the same home for a very long time. They have established support systems in their community, collected personal belongings and memories that bring joy and comfort to their life. For someone suffering from the beginnings of cognitive decline, having a familiar environment can make all the difference. Getting old has so many negatives, but a familiar environment can be a huge positive.
Cost Effectiveness
It should be noted that every circumstance is different. For someone who owns their home outright, the ability to continue living in it will save a lot of money. If an in-home care provider is needed, you will only be paying for the services that you need. It is more of an ala carte option. Something that is often not appraised during this decision is the expense of a car, insurance, home insurance, property taxes, utilities and maintenance costs. All of those things add up, and would not be requisite in an assisted living situation.
Decision Making
This decision should not be taken lightly. Regardless of whether you choose to live out your final days in your own home or move to an elderly care facility, aging will set in motion big life changes. It will likely place a burden on the family if you stay, and will require sacrifice in many ways. Moving to a facility could be more of a financial burden. A case worker, area agency, or local assisted living facility can help consult during this process to assess whether you will be better off at home or not depending on your individual circumstances. Your quality of life should be the most important factor in consideration. There are pros and cons for both sides, so make sure that you make a thorough list when considering all of your options.
