Considering In-Home Care

According to the AARP, nine out of ten Americanswish to grow old at home, and home-health providers are rushing to meet thisdemand.

Those looking into in-home care for their loved oneneed to consider the number of limitations they have or will have, whether theyhave support within the community, and whether the home is suitable for them inthe long-run. 

Many options now exist which allow more people tostay at home and avoid a nursing home or assisted living facility.  Telehealth, phone apps, professional housecalls, and personal-care assistants help elderly stay at home and savemoney.  A private room at a nursing homeaverages $82,800 a year and those at an assisted-living facility average$41,400.  Based on a 30-hour week,home-health aides average about $30,326. 

Some risks to staying at home include decreasedsocialization, slipping and falling unattended, and untrained adult-childrencaregivers. 

See Avery Forman, When to ConsiderIn-Home Care, The Wall Street Journal, Sept. 15, 2013.