Home Care Not Always the Best Care

One of the hardest conversations a child can have with a parent will involve a decision to move to a senior community. Almost every older person overestimates their abilities and underestimates their risk of serious accident or harm when living in a house without supervision. A recent survey showed that the overwhelming majority of seniors over 80 preferred to live in their own homes. Even though this may be a strong preference for your parents, it is seldom the best choice.

Home Care for Seniors Provides for Basic Needs

We have helped families find homecare in the Jefferson, St. Charles and St. Louis counties. We're fortunate in this part of the state to have a great deal of highly committed companies that strive to provide excellent home care. In most cases, families hire somone for four to six hours each day who serves as a friendly and caring companion. They'll help with some light cleaning, perhaps assists with bathing needs and provide a good  measure of comfort and companionship to someone who cannot get out of the house much.

Independent Living Communities Provide Care and More

Those seniors who can successfully make the move from home to a community will find that many more worrie s are taken from their shoulders. Few families can afford 24 hour care or companionship for a parent, yet these communities are able to provide for that same type of avilability around the clock at a reasonable rate.

No matter how much a senior says that they enjoy living in their own home, almsot none of them get enough social interaction in that situaiton. Four or even six hours of paid companionship still leaves your parent with unending hours of solitude. Being alone like that can result in depressive episodes, excess somnolence and accelerated memory issues.  On the other hand, the benefits of socialization are well documented. Constant interaction with nieghbors, care givers, staff and even the outside entertainment that many independent living communities provide can actually increase cognitive and memory function, compared to living at home with an occaisional visit from a family member and one caregiver from an agency.