5 benefits of in-home aged care

Taking care of family members as they age can be difficult. Often we are faced with difficult decisions as they become less able to care for themselves independently. We’re put together a summary of the key benefits of in-home care to help you make the decision with greater insight into the difference to you and your family.

The traditional residential aged care model

In more recent times there has been a shift toward keeping Australians within their own environment rather than moving them into a residential care facility as soon as they required help.

While this is not always suitable for the individual, depending on their care needs, residential care is now considered more for those preparing for the end of life. That has translated to an increase in the average age of aged-care residents and most people enter residential care at age 75 or over. Additionally approximately half of residents suffer from some form of dementia. See What are the early signs of dementia?

Benefits of in-home care

The benefits of staying at home are significant and we’ve summarised the top 5.

1. Familiar environment

Change can be difficult at the best of times but for someone to leave their home forever can be overwhelming and stressful. Not to mention, it is rarely the person’s own wish to leave and rather the will of their family, out of concern for them living alone. The feeling of comfort and familiarity ensures a far less stressful life and less need to adapt to new surroundings.

2. Tailored care

Depending on the requirements of the individual, in-home care can be tailored to suit the support and services needed. At the initial stages, some may only need help with domestic chores however another might need a higher level of services to help manage medical conditions.

3. Family support

Often caring for aging people is the responsibility of family members, especially those living close to the person in need. Accessing in-home care can alleviate the need and ensures both carers and those being cared for receive the adequate help and down time as required. It isn’t easy to be the primary carer, especially if the person has dementia, and so it can be a relief to receive professional help but still allow the person to stay in the comfort of their own home. See also Caring for someone with Dementia

4. Independence

It is a terrible shame to move someone to a residential facility when all they require is some additional support at home. We know that independence is important to a person’s quality of life as they have far more control over their life and the way they live it. Accessing in-home care allows the person to still live their life in familiar surroundings while benefiting from the safety and security of professional care and support.

5. Personal connection

At Sai, we allocate a dedicated team to your family so you have the chance to build rapport and personal connections. Having that continuity also allows for them to monitor minor changes in behaviour or health, allowing for faster identification of any issues that might need to be addressed. Importantly also, it allows for a sense of community and the opportunity to build relationships with your team so you feel even safer and more comfortable throughout the process.

If you would like more information about in-home care, or access to services, you can contact our team of experts today on (03) 8785 0999.