Home Health Care, Assisted Living, or Nursing Home...
How to Decide What's Best For You...
Keeping Your Family Member Safe at Home
When you or a family member have difficulty managing the day-to-day activities of daily living, it may be time to find assistance. Family and friends might be able to help if your needs are short-term, but if they are long-term needs, who can help?
There are three major options when you or your loved one needs assistance. Let’s look at the options and discuss the pros and cons of each one to help you make the best decision.
Home Care Option
The first option is to receive care in your own home from a professional home care provider. Some home care providers only assist with daily living activities such as meal preparation, bathing, housekeeping, or laundry. Others, like Health Force of Georgia, offer a full range of home care services from personal and companion care all the way to skilled nursing care and infusion therapy. You may have a caregiver come to the home for several hours each day, several times each week or even daily. As the senior’s need for care increases, services from the provider may change to meet those needs.
A full-time live-in caregiver is another option that some families choose. Home care service providers offer a consistent relationship with the senior, unlike an assistant living facility who may have a greater turnover of staff.
An Atlanta Journal-Constitution newspaper investigation of Georgia’s senior care industry published in 2019 found that assisted living and nursing homes are often understaffed and workers routinely lack training. While the state passed a new slate of laws in response to the series, advocates say more needs to be done.
If you are like most seniors, you love your home and are comfortable in it. You do not want to leave it. Home health care makes this possible. Studies show that in-home dementia and Alzheimer’s patients take nearly 50% less trips to the doctor. Stress and anxieties are eased by remaining in a familiar environment.
Another Option is an Assisted Living Facility
Assisted living facilities offer a group residence and help with the day-to-day activities of living. They are not nursing homes. They may provide meals and housekeeping services, but they do not offer full-time, long-term care. Assisted living homes are best for individuals who require little care on a daily basis. Adjusting to community life in an assisted living home can cause stress and anxiety. Routines are disrupted and visits from family and friends may not be convenient or as often.
Nursing Homes
Nursing homes are another option for those needing more than basic care that can be handled in traditional home settings. They are designed to provide around-the-clock medical care and assistance. In addition, to help with day-to-day activities of daily living, nursing homes provide skilled medical care and/or therapy whenever it is needed. For someone with chronic health problems, severe mobility issues, or those who suffer from serious injuries, finding a nursing home is the best option.
You Could Get Paid for Taking Care of a Family Member Doing These Daily Tasks
Call (770) 458-8500
for more information:
Caregivers may qualify by providing daily tasks. Examples are:
- Meal preparation
- Eating
- Bathing
- Dressing
- Getting in and out of bed
- Transportation to and from appointments
- Moving around the house
- Getting into and out of chairs
- Other activities of daily living
- Maintain independence and stay in the familiar comfort of your own home.
- Receive and only pay for the care you need. As needs change, so will the individual care.
- Our experienced client service coordinator will work with you to select a good caregiver fit for your needs. You can develop a personal relationship with the caregiver.
- Receive care from one set of caregivers instead of a rotating staff as in facility-based settings.
- Most seniors who age in the comfort of their own home require up to 50 percent fewer physician visits per year.
- Costs can be controlled. Depending on when care is needed and the skill level of care required, in-home care can be less expensive. Family members can provide care to fill in the gaps and even get paid in some states.
- The state of Georgia Waiver Program offers the Structured Family Caregiving program (SFC) which offers financial and support services to a Georgia family member who delivers care at home for a senior or disabled person.
- Choosing a home care service that provides basic daily living services all the way to skilled nursing, prevents disruption or changes in care due to limited services offered by an assisted living home.
- Family and friends can visit, or live with you, without restrictions, allowing seniors to avoid loneliness and maintain their overall well-being.
- Home care is often more affordable than a nursing home or assisted living facility. Pay only for services that you need.
- Your home may need modifications to accommodate the special needs of a person with limited mobility.
- Managing caregivers and backup care planning requires continued family involvement unless you hire a home care service like Health Force of Georgia.
- The more hours you need help with, the greater the costs. But you only pay for the services you need.
- Assisted living homes may be more affordable when 24/7 care is required but may not offer the necessary medical services in the basic cost.
- Family members can go about their lives, and not worry about finding, scheduling, and managing caregivers.
- There are planned social activities.
- Frequent changes to staff schedules are common making care inconsistent.
- The quality of care can differ depending on the specific staff members.
- The rules of the assisted living home may conflict with the will of the residents. For example, pets may not be allowed, or visits may be limited to certain hours.
- You may be asked to leave for any reason with little or no advanced notice.
- Not every person enjoys being in the company of other people in a group situation. Privacy is limited. Fellow residents may not be compatible.
- Nursing home care can be the best option for those needing extreme care.
- Nursing homes are designed to provide around-the-clock medical care and assistance for patients.
- Families who feel that full-time care is needed opt for nursing homes because they offer full service to residents and alleviate caregiver stress.
- Amenities in nursing homes include regular in-house activities such as crafts, games, and fitness in addition to outings for shopping and entertainment with transportation provided.
- Nursing homes can offer advanced memory care services for the late stages of conditions, such as Huntington’s Disease and Alzheimer’s.
As with the Assisted Living Option…
- May be much more expensive than in-home care provided by a home health care service.
- The level of one-on-one care can vary from day-to-day due to employee schedules. Frequent changes to the staff are common making care not as consistent.
- The quality of care can differ depending on staff members.
- The rules of the nursing home may conflict with the will of the residents. For example, pets may not be allowed, or visits may be limited to certain hours.
- Additional costs may be incurred if dementia, memory care, or other special services are required.
- You may be asked to leave for any reason with little or no advanced notice.
- Not every person enjoys being in the company of other people in a group situation. Privacy is limited. Fellow residents may not be compatible.
In Conclusion
You want the best solution for your situation. Not everyone can remain at home but if you can, studies indicate that living at home for as long as possible is not only desirable for economic or health reasons but also associated with higher quality-of-life for persons with moderate dementia. With the right support and financial assistance, aging at home is becoming an easier choice to make.
Choosing a provider with a broad range of services means you can just add services as needs increase. Health Force of Georgia offers personal home care services, Alzheimer’s and dementia care, respite care, skilled nursing care, and infusion therapy. With Health Force of Georgia’s Home Care Services, you will be able to get the home health care services you need as your needs grow. We also understand that having access to safe, reliable transportation for medical appointments, going shopping, or running errands is a must for maintaining independence and quality-of-life. We have partnered with Uber Health, the most advanced, ride-hailing service in the nation, to provide affordable, convenient transportation for senior clients in the metro Atlanta region.
Give Health Force of Georgia a call to discuss your in-home care needs. We’ve served thousands of Atlanta families with home care services for over three decades. We want to help you, or your loved one, lead a safe and independent life for as long as possible.
Health Force of Georgia Service Area
Health Force of Georgia offers affordable Alzheimer's Disease and dementia care services in the Metro Atlanta area. We know that providing memory care for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients is stressful and challenging for caregivers. That’s why we’re here for you with flexible Alzheimer’s care assistance that removes the burden of care for a short time or an extended period depending on your situation.
Our service area includes metro Atlanta, GA and 18 surrounding counties.
