If you or a loved one needs a little more help, mentally, emotionally, or physically, home care could be an option. Choosing home care can keep you in your home and allow you to remain independent while receiving the care you need. Often, seniors think home care is unaffordable and opt to leave home, yet this is not always the case. In a survey done by Genworth, the national average monthly cost for home care was $4004 for approximately 44 hours of care a week, and the monthly charge for assisted living was $4000 monthly. In the Philadelphia area, the costs for in-home care and assisted living are somewhat higher than this average, but in-home care is still more affordable. Understanding your options for care can allow you to make the best choice for you or your loved one.

Home care can be designed to provide you with just the services you need. You do not need to have a standard care plan. Consider your needs, as this will help you in your decision-making process. Do you need help with errands and other household chores? You can have a caregiver come to do such tasks, or you may also choose more services based upon your health and other requirements.

For those needing care 24/7, home care may not be the best choice as the cost for this care in the home is expensive and may not provide the level of care needed. In most cases where 24/7 care is necessary, assisted living facilities may be a better choice both financially and medically.

According to the National Council for Aging Care, the most common reasons for having home care are:

• Personal care
• Companionship
• Supervision
• Meal preparation
• Medication reminders
• Errands
• Transportation

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The benefits of home care include the ability to retain independence and have companionship. The National Center on Caregiving reports that most individuals choose home care whenever possible and that when surveyed, over 90% of seniors preferred home care to a facility. Depending on the situation, the average home care plan includes 9 hours of daily care ranging from assistance with daily living tasks to providing companionship. While many caregivers are family members, it is important to note that home health care can include hiring someone specifically trained in providing services to you or a loved one.

Home care can be an option in the recovery process as well. Recovering at home is beneficial for the healing process as seniors receiving care at home tend to be physically and mentally healthier than those in facilities. In a study done by the Rothman Institute at Thomas Jefferson University Medical School, researchers found that patients recovering at home did just as well as those in facilities and avoided the risk of infection, which is common in healthcare settings.

Home care can provide you or a loved one with an array of services for care and, in some cases, offer the best healthcare option.

To learn more about your options for care, contact our compassionate life care planning team today.

Call 856 770 2744 or complete the Contact us form