5 Ways At-Home Care Costs Less than a Nursing Home
By Home Care Assistance Des Moines 9 am on
With the cost of care rising for seniors, many older adults are now taking a closer look at how much it really costs to move out of their homes and into nursing facilities. While nursing homes are sometimes viewed as being a less expensive way to live out the golden years, many people are finding this isn’t always true. Home care is an option that has many benefits for lowering the cost of your senior loved one’s care as he or she ages. As you begin to talk about your loved one’s preferences, take note of these five reasons choosing to hire a home caregiver is more affordable compared to nursing homes.
1. It Keeps Housing Costs Low
Nursing homes aren’t cheap, and you should question the services offered by any that seem extremely affordable. Nursing homes today often have medical services that are costly to offer. For this reason, seniors are often required to pay for rooms or suites that may cost more than what they already pay for their homes. This is especially true for seniors who already own their homes or have low-rent apartments. Moving could mean having to stretch their housing budgets far beyond what they can afford.
2. Seniors Don’t Pay for Services They Don’t Need
Your loved one may not need some of the services included in a nursing home plan. However, your loved one will be paying for some services, such as having nurses on staff, even if he or she never uses them. Home care allows your family to pay for only the services your loved one needs. For example, you can arrange to have help with transportation if your loved one cannot drive yet still encourage him or her to cook meals independently if possible.If your senior loved one needs hourly or live-in care, Des Moines Home Care Assistance can help. Our caregivers can assist with exercise and mobility, prepare nutritious meals, provide timely medication reminders, and help with a wide array of other important daily tasks.
3. Seniors Can Avoid the Costs of Moving
Your loved one may be able to downsize, but you can still expect to cover the costs of having to move his or her belongings to a nursing home. You may also need to do things such as pay for changing utilities, renting a moving van, and managing the costs of trying to sell your loved one’s home or get out of a lease. With home care, your loved one gets to avoid paying for all these extras and skip the stress that comes with a major move.
4. Some Services Are Covered by Health Insurance
Your loved one’s health insurance may cover some or all the costs of home care, which allows your loved one to maximize his or her health benefits while also getting to stay in a home where he or she has built a comfortable life. Check your loved one’s policy to find out if services such as personal hygiene and post-hospitalization care are covered.If you have a senior loved one who needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of elder care Des Moines families can rely on. All of our caregivers are bonded, licensed, and insured, there are no hidden fees, and we never ask our clients to sign long-term contracts.
5. Aging Adults Can Increase the Level of Care as Needed
Most seniors start out needing only a small amount of care that makes paying for a nursing home seem unnecessary. Being able to pay for only the services your loved one needs allows you to keep costs low now so there’s more money available for care later in life. A home care agency can even help you with senior care planning to make sure your loved one has the support he or she needs to be healthy and happy at each stage of his or her life.When researching agencies that provide homecare, families are usually looking for flexible care plans, compassionate and highly trained caregivers, and 24/7 availability. Whether you need respite care to take a break from your caregiving duties or your senior loved one needs around-the-clock assistance at home, you can rely on Home Care Assistance. Call Home Care Assistance at (515) 264-2438 to learn more about our flexible and customizable senior care plans.
