We are all familiar with assisted living facilities and nursing homes for the elderly, but have you heard about the current most popular senior care method? Aging in place involves in-home care services that keep your senior happy and healthy while allowing them to stay in their own home and maintain their independence. More and more seniors are requesting in-home care each year as they learn about what it is and why it’s a great choice. Let’s take a look at the process!

What is Aging in Place?

Aging in place is exactly what you would imagine it to be; growing older in the home you’ve lived in for years. Many elderly people prefer the idea of staying at home in their old age rather than relocating to a nursing home or assisted living facility. Aging in place is the most popular method of senior care because it allows your loved one to maintain a level of independence that other methods do not. Additionally, they can stay in the home they are comfortable in near friends and family. Various senior living facilities have rules and regulations in place regarding leaving the facility, seeing visitors, and doing various tasks. If your senior is still active and stubborn about sticking to their routine, aging in place could be a great option! Of course, there are some problems that can accompany aging in place, but they are typically easy to solve. If your loved one needs some form of care, contact an in-home care company like B’Zoe Home Caregiving Services. Our staff brings care to your loved one’s front door on a flexible schedule that’s set by you and the client.

Is it Right For My Loved One?

How can you know if aging in place is suitable for your elderly loved one? Keep an eye out for any of the following:

• The layout of the home: Are there several stairs that must be climbed regularly. And can your loved one navigate them safely?
• The size of the home: Can your elderly loved one keep things tidy and in order? Caregivers will help with basic tasks, but most home maintenance is not included in services.
• The health of your senior: Is your loved one in great health with the exception of some achy joints and a bit of balance loss? The healthier a senior is, the more it makes sense to keep them at home for as long as possible. Alzheimer’s and dementia patients can benefit greatly from staying in a familiar environment, but if they require a lot of care, it may not be a great fit.
• Your loved one’s needs: Of course, you need to take into account the needs of your senior. Do they need basic help here and there, or are most daily tasks a struggle for them? In-home care is best suited for those who require some assistance during the day but not 24/7 watch. 24-hour care is absolutely an option if your home has the space, but most in-home care at least starts out with a few hours at a time.

Other things to consider include the status of your senior’s social life, their routine, how frequently they see family and friends, and how capable they are at doing things like cooking and cleaning. In-home caregivers are chosen by the client to ensure a good personality match. One of their most important jobs ends up being a friend to your loved one. While the staff at assisted living facilities and nursing homes rotates and changes constantly, you will only have one caregiver who will form a bond with your senior and quickly become a friend to them. Companionship is far more important than people realize, and in-home care guarantees one-on-one time that is not promised at facilities.

What Are The Benefits?

There are countless benefits to in-home care and aging in place, though they will differ by client. Here are a few that are cited most frequently by our clients and their family members:

1. It gives the senior more independence and lets them stay comfortable in their home
2. The care schedule is flexible based on needs and lifestyle
3. Strong bonds form between the client and their hand-picked caregiver
4. There are no restrictions on visitations or “excursions” to other places
5. Caregivers can come in for a few hours to help when needed, and then the senior can have the rest of the day to themselves
6. Aging in place is almost always more affordable than assisted living or nursing homes
7. It’s believed that staying in a familiar environment and sticking to a routine can slow memory loss in Alzheimer’s and dementia patients
8. You can alter the care plan as needed if new issues arise
9. In-home care can be used for short-term recovery after surgeries or hospital stays
10. Pets, plants, kids, and friends are all welcome! There are no restrictions in your own home!

We could go on for days about the benefits of aging in place, but this seems like a sufficient list for the time being. As you can see, there are many selling points that ultimately convince seniors and their families to give in-home care a try. We guarantee that once you do, you won’t want it any other way. Be sure to find an in-home care company that provides the services you need as not all offer medical services.

We hope this brief article has given you some insight as to why aging in place is the most preferred method of senior care. B’Zoe Home Caregiving Services has been in business for years offering personalized care plans with flexible hours. We take the time to meet each of our new clients so that we can match you with the perfect caregiver. We are currently accepting new clients, so give us a call at (206) 953-4900 to schedule a FREE consultation. Visit www.bzoecare.com to learn more about us. We look forward to speaking with you!