We all need a bit of help as we get older, even if we don’t want to admit it. Most people want to continue living in the comfort of home for as long as possible. With careful planning and the right support, you’ll be able to live at home for a very long time at least.
- Most people want to continue living at home for as long as possible.
- In-home care and residential care both have pros and cons.
- You need to consider all your options so you can make a plan for your future.
In-home care vs nursing home care—what you need to consider
It’s worth thinking about your care options even if you don’t need any help right now. That way, you can make a plan for the future.
| In-home care | Residential care | The best option | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your independence | You can remain very independent | Usually less independence | In-home care is better if keeping your independence is very important to you |
| Your lifestyle | Keep your lifestyle mostly the same | Your lifestyle may change, although you can still enjoy a good lifestyle | You can get support to achieve your lifestyle goals with both in-home care and residential care |
| Your care | You can usually receive all the care you need | You can receive a higher level of care if you need it | Residential care facilities are better if you need a high level of care since there are nurses or doctors available 24/7 |
Questions to ask yourself
When you’re making a plan for your care, you need to understand the kind of life you want to have so you can get the right supports to achieve it. Here are some of the questions you should consider:
1. What are your lifestyle goals?
We all have things we love to do. Whether it’s gardening, cooking, or going on outings with family and friends, the right care services can help you maintain or improve your current lifestyle.
The advantage of in-home care is that you can keep your lifestyle basically how it is now, but it will be easier to do the things you love.
2. What are your care preferences?
Receiving care is very personal, so it’s worth having a think about the kind of care that works for you. Think about:
- Do you want a caregiver you can chat with or someone who can work unobtrusively?
- Would you prefer a male or female caregiver?
- What kind of personalities do you get on well with?
At Absolute Care & Health, we make sure you’re matched with a caregiver who suits your care preferences. It’s part of ensuring your care services are perfectly tailored to you.
3. How much care do you need now?
If you only need a bit of help around the house for now, then in-home care is perfect. You can get the support you need to continue enjoying your current lifestyle.
4. How much care will you need in the future?
You need to consider how much care you are going to need in the future. When you receive in-home care, you can gradually increase the amount of care you receive as you need it.
In-home care services can also provide high levels of care and 24-hour care if you need it the future. However, it is possible that you will need to move into residential care in the future if you need a lot of care.
Making a plan for your care
Understanding your lifestyle goals, preferences, and care needs will help you make an effective plan for your current and future care needs.
Most people want to continue living at home, and in-home care services can help you do just that. At Absolute Care & Health, we can make sure you’re comfortable and safe in your home. There is also government funding available for in-home care services.
If you need advice about in-home care vs nursing home care, talk to our friendly team on 03 9827 8899.
