As our loved ones become older, they will have certain care needs that we can’t easily provide at home. This may include regular monitoring, trips to the hospital, and assisting them in every activity they do every day. If you are not always at home, providing this extra care is difficult. It can be stressful to think about alternatives that will keep your loved ones happy and safe. Nowadays, there are aged care facilities across the country for the elderly to check for support. One of these aged care facilities is Homestyle Aged Care, which offers the elderly a home away from home. However, there are people who may think residential care is not best and they still want their loved ones living with them while receiving in-home care. What are the differences between these two types of aged care and which one is best for our loved ones?
What is Residential Care and In-Home Care?
Residential care entails providing aged care services to elderly people who find it difficult to live on their own. The individual will move out of their current residence and into a long-term facility where they can get assistance care.
There are at least three types of residential care available in Australia:
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- Retirement communities where residents can live independently but still get care
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- Nursing home for people who require special medical attention until the end of their life
- Care facilities offering assistance for residents who need help with their meals and household chores.
Meanwhile, in-home care deals with elderly people who do not want to move out to a residential care facility. Instead, they will receive the assistance they need from home and it can be modified based on their needs.
What are their differences?
To understand the difference between residential aged care or in-home care. To help you decide which one to get for your loved ones, we will look into six major factors:
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Support Type
In-home care involves personalized aged care support for the elderly. Services can include household chores to medical assistance or palliative support.
Meanwhile, residential aged care can provide both short-term and long-term support for the elderly. Unfortunately, this reduces the capacity of aged care providers to offer flexible services for their residents since they are supporting a small community.
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Number of Supporters
Most people in Australia over 60 years old prefer in-home care to residential care. It offers independence, as well as the opportunity to personalize the service as they grow older.
At short term respite care with MACG, we can facilitate short term respite stays at our dedicated homes.
By comparison, residential care is not as supported by elderly adults and only a few would pick going to an aged care home once they are older.
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Age
There is no ideal age when older people can avail of either in-home or residential aged care. However, for older people who prefer their independence and the security of their home, getting in-home aged care is appropriate at any age they may be.
Meanwhile, for those who are nearing the end of their life or are in need of constant assistance, it is best to get residential care. Usually, this age is around 84 to 85 years old and up.
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Costs
In-home aged care is affordable in comparison to residential care because the government has care packages for the elderly who will stay in their residences as they got older. The elderly will only pay a part of their care package, but this means their contributions will be set depending on their income and situation.
Meanwhile, residential care can be expensive especially if you select full-time residential care for your loved one. Fees can start from $350,000 to $500,000. Every residential aged care facility may charge additional fees depending on what is needed, especially if it was not originally availed by the resident.
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Health Impact on the Elderly
In-home aged care would be best if the elderly find their home their safe place. In their residence, they are in an area they are familiar with and they are near the people they love. This will also help them feel content and happy, reducing the stress of their family members in the process.
Meanwhile, the health impact on the elderly staying in residential aged care facilities varies. For some, they may find it depressing to stay in these facilities because they are far away from their families and friends. There will also be those who will feel lonely because they are stuck in a residential aged care facility rather than outside in places. Others will be happy with residential aged care because they can be attended to and meet new people in their new community.
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Independence
Elderly people who are under in-home care have more independence as compared to those who are in residential care. Since they are in their home, they can go to any place they want and do everything they wish.
Meanwhile, in residential care, residents can do any activity they want. However, they cannot leave the facility without permission or advance notice.
Conclusion
The decision regarding the aged care you will select for your family members when they need it is difficult. Do your research about what each type of aged care offers to the elderly and see if it will fit their needs.
If you want to give the best residential aged care for your loved ones, Homestyle Aged Care can definitely provide it. This aged care facility aims to provide its residents with a holistic stay in a welcoming environment and receive the care they need.