Live-in care provides a higher level of care for your loved one that traditional home health care. Unlike home health care, which usually involves visits from a care provider once or twice a week, live-in care consists of a care provider residing in the patient's home and providing care around the clock.
As we age, we sometimes have conditions that leave us unable to care for our own problems effectively. Some conditions leave us prone to injury or accidents if we are unattended. An example of this is Alzheimer's, which causes forgetfulness and can lead to home accidents for those whose conditions are becoming advanced.
In most cases, people solve this dilemma by relocating their loved one to a nursing home or an assisted care facility, someplace with dedicated staff to address their ongoing issues and keep them safe. However, many people are resistant to the idea of placing their loved ones in a nursing home or assisted care facility.
Stories abound of nursing home abuse and neglect, and although these situations do represent the exception rather than the rule, it is hard not to be concerned at the idea of placing your loved one in a nursing home. Naturally, we all want the most personalized care possible for our parents.
Furthermore, in some cases, especially of those with Alzheimer's, the act of relocating a loved one can be extremely difficult for them. They have trouble processing and remembering new information, which means they will be confused and distressed by living in an unfamiliar environment.
Live-in care is by far preferable to traditional nursing home placement for many reasons. Your family member can stay in their home and be with their own items that bring them comfort. You have the peace of mind of knowing that your family member has someone there in case of an emergency, day or night.
The ideal situation for a live-in provider is one where the patient has an extra bedroom and enough disposable income that they are not completely dependent on Medicare to fund their live-in care. Medicare generally does not provide full coverage for live-in care and it can become an expensive option when paying for it out of pocket. By meeting with live-in provider agencies ahead of time you can figure out how much it will cost you and how you can finance this care option.
Live-in care is the preferred choice of many elderly people. They want to be able to live in their own home for as long as possible, but sometimes their medical condition calls that ability into question. Live-in care gives them the ability to stay in their own home and be safe at the same time. Choosing a live-in care provider is a difficult decision and one that should not be undertaken lightly. Always consider the training of the provider, the needs of the patient, the cost involved, and the compatibility of the personalities involved to ensure that the patient and the care provider can live in harmony.
