Is In-Home Assistance Right for You? How to Find Out

Do you know that by 2026, almost 1 out of 4 Americans will be considered elderly? Needless to say, the demand for in-home assistance can only rise from here on out.

Ask any of our elderly loved ones, and they will tell you how much they prioritize their independence. Even as we get older, and we start dealing with tasks that we can’t do on our own, you’ll find that we still prefer the least amount of help.

However, we can’t really do our own in-home health care, same as we can’t be our own doctors. If you’re wondering whether in-home health care might be the best option for your elderly loved ones, then no worries. You’ve come to the right place.

Keep on reading for our full breakdown of what in-home care entails, the different types of caregivers you can have, and the main benefits of having a home healthcare professional on your side.

In-Home Assistance 101: What Is Home Care?

Before we start our deep dive into the different kinds of caregivers you can get, let’s make sure you’ve got a solid foundation on what home care is all about.

In the simplest of terms, home care is an overarching term that refers to any sort of professional support service that helps a person live in their home safely, and without any major health issues.

In-home care services help an aging person who needs some assistance to live with high degrees of independence. For instance, getting help with managing chronic health problems, meeting special needs or a disability, as well as helping with recovery from a medical setback.

Now, let’s explore the different types of professional caregivers, and how you can pick the right one for your needs. Did you know there are 7 perfect reasons that will encourage you to become a nurse.

The Main Types of Home Caregivers 

Also known as “domiciliary care workers,” those are the professionals that you can hire for in-home care. Of course, they come with different qualifications, specializations, and qualities.

So, if you’re looking into hiring one for you or an elderly relative, you’ll want to be familiar with the common types available to you.

Personal Care Aides (PCAs)

This is one of the most common types of home care professionals. A Personal Care Aide (PCA) is someone you can hire to help people with disabilities or elderly folks with their daily activities and tasks.

You can have a PCA at home, or in an in-care facility.

They have basic duties that revolve around housekeeping, like cleaning the home and doing laundry. Also, they can help with personal care, preparing meals, and even running errands.

You might want to check out whether your case makes you eligible for CDPAP. It’s a great program with tons of benefits. Here are the CDPAP requirements you need to know.

Registered Nurses (RNs)

Registered Nurses are professional healthcare workers who are highly qualified individuals that can work in and out of a hospital setting.

In the aftermath of major surgeries, or recovery from a severe medical condition, you’ll want to have a professional healthcare worker who’s qualified to provide help according to their medical background and training.

Related: What Is Home Health Care and When Is It Necessary?

Home Health Aides (HHAs)

A Home Health Aide (HHA) is rather similar to a PCA. Both can provide high-quality care at home. But, the key difference is that an HHA has state-approved licensing and training.

This training can be a literal lifesaver when it comes to recognizing problematic symptoms in their patients, which allows them to get the necessary help as soon as possible.

Physical Therapists (PTs)

If the main problem you’re facing is tied to your mobility, then a physical therapist can truly improve the quality of your life.

These are professionals who specialize in helping an individual with their mobility issues or difficulties.

Think about seniors who are fresh out of a joint replacement surgery or other kinds of operations that can limit their mobility. Having a PT on hand will ensure that they can safely move around their environment, as well as work on regaining higher levels of mobility safely.

The Benefits of in-Home Health Care

regardless of the title and specialization of your targeted home care professional, all of them share the common goal of improving your life quality.

At this point, you might already be thinking about hiring an in-home care worker, but you’re not sure whether it’ll be worth the cost and effort. So, let’s give you some key benefits that can help you make the right decision.

It’s Very Affordable

Unfortunately, in-home care has a reputation on the market for being expensive, which couldn’t be further from the truth.

Getting a home care worker will actually cost you way less on an hourly basis than committing yourself or your loved one to a nursing home.

SeniorSite.org is a resource to help families and individuals search senior care options in their area. SeniorSite’s mission is to provide high quality, up to date information and care solutions for families throughout the US.

It’s Personalized

When you hire a home care worker, you’ll be getting individualized one-on-one care.

There will be nothing else on their task list but keeping close attention to your health and every need. This can be a rather critical benefit, especially when it comes to detecting any problematic symptoms, or dealing with age-related illnesses.

It’s Safer

When you’re receiving the bulk (if not all) of your care at home, you’ll get to enjoy a much lower risk of infections in comparison to staying in a facility.

This is essential when it comes to people with compromised immunity and other sensitive conditions.

It’s Better for Independence

When you’re convalescing at home, you’ll be in a familiar environment. It allows you higher degrees of independence, which can increase your confidence in your ability to move around, and get things done.

In addition to the higher comfort levels, having this sense of independence is crucial for having higher spirits, which can speed up your recovery.

Read Also: A Simple Guide to Caring for Someone With Dementia

Ready to Explore Home Health Care?

We know that the idea of getting in-home assistance can be rather overwhelming, especially if you’re the first one in your family and friends to take that step.

Yet, there is no ignoring the sheer number of benefits to getting in-home care with the help of a professional. Hopefully, our explainer has shed some light on how to start your research into the right in-home assistance for your needs.

If you liked this article, make sure to check out additional tips and health advice in our lifestyle and health section.