The Cost Benefits of Home Care
by Ann Bannes, Vice President, St. Andrew’s Senior Solutions
As the baby boomer generation continues to grow older, much attention has been focused on the health care needs of this segment of the population and the soaring costs associated with those needs. Those weighing their living options for the golden years are finding that long-term nursing home care is more costly than ever before, and with those costs expected to skyrocket in the future, home care is quickly becoming a popular alternative.
Home care allows seniors to remain in their homes as they age, among the familiar surroundings and precious memories they hold dear. This is accomplished with the assistance of home health aides that are hired to help with bathing and personal care; assist with nutrition and medication management; perform household chores, run errands or provide transportation or escort services; and offer companionship.
In terms of cost, home care is an important component of the nation’s health care system because it can help patients avoid unnecessary emergency room visits, lengthy inpatient hospital stays or premature admission into nursing homes. At the individual family level, home care is less costly because it can be utilized as needed. This is important for seniors who may only require care during certain parts of the day. Home care allows seniors to pay for only the care they need, as opposed to incurring the cost of 24-hour, round-the-clock nursing home care. And with the demand for home care services increasing, seniors have more choices when it comes to finding a care provider that can best suit their financial needs.
Aside from the many cost benefits associated with home care, psychological benefits also abound. For all of us, a home signifies independence and enhances quality of life. And, this is especially true for seniors who have lived in their homes for many years. Home care provides seniors with the psychological benefits of maintaining both a degree of their independence and a sense of control over their lives in an environment that is familiar and comfortable. This has been found to be especially true for seniors leaving a hospital to recover at home. Studies have indicated that routine and familiar surroundings can actually facilitate recovery and help seniors heal faster.
For the most part, home care services can meet the needs of the majority of individuals as they age. But, when warning signs indicate that a senior requires 24-hour care, it’s important to recognize that home care may no longer be the best alternative. A geriatric care manager can assist families by making a professional assessment of an older loved one’s condition and help caregivers determine whether a senior could benefit from more comprehensive live-in home care, or if a move into an independent, assisted or skilled nursing environment might be more appropriate. In cases where seniors may require round-the-clock care; a move into a nursing care facility could actually be a more cost-effective option.
With the population of individuals aged 65 and older projected to increase to 55 million by 2020, our nation continues to struggle to find solutions to the difficult questions surrounding the best way to provide health care for the aging in America. As the powers that be navigate the health care maze, the availability of home care will play an important role in staving off the high costs of institutional care. For those who are able to take advantage of home care, the benefits will not only be found in terms of dollars, but also in the enhanced quality of life they will enjoy as they age independently in their own homes during their golden years.
Ann Bannes is the vice president of home and community services for St. Andrew’s Senior Solutions, a St. Louis-based non-profit organization that services the needs of older adults and their caregivers.