Home care vs nursing home services are essential as your loved ones grow older and their needs increase. These needs can be difficult to manage alone, and that’s where these services come in to help.
However, there are many aspects to look at and consider in terms of the facilities and services each of them provides. Decisions like these are never easy. Choosing between an in-home attendant and a nursing home can be challenging.
The first question that may pop into your head is which is better: home care or nursing homes? You may also wonder what their differences are and what the pros and cons are. Considering all of this, we are here to highlight how home care and nursing home services differ and where their benefits and drawbacks lie. This will help you know what to expect from each option and choose the best one.
What Does Home Care Provide?
Home care services consist of exactly what the name suggests. Under this form of service, your loved ones will receive all the care and attention they need right at their home. Depending on the care recipient’s condition and needs, a caregiver or a licensed nurse will be assigned.
They will either permanently stay with the recipient or visit them at regular intervals to tend to any of their medical or non-medical needs. This is the best part about home care services, that is, they cater to both sides of old age necessities. For example, they take care of any medical needs, such as monitoring vitals or administering medication. At the same time, they also provide day-to-day services like running errands, transportation, maintenance, etc.
What Services are Provided by Nursing Homes?
A nursing home is a facility that looks after the senior people in a community. It provides housing facilities to your loved ones besides nursing and caring services. If your loved one is someone who needs constant medical care, nursing homes provide licensed nurses and nursing aides are available all day.
Nursing homes are a more convenient option for people who are unable to look after themselves in their homes and need supervision all the time. They provide their residents with normal daily life activities besides medical care. Nursing homes have nurses and caregivers on the field all the time to attend to any of their resident’s needs immediately.
Home Care vs Nursing Home Services
Choosing between home care and nursing home services is a critical decision for anyone to make. While both of these care services provide valuable benefits, each of them comes with its set of benefits and challenges.
Pros and Cons of Home Care
The advantages and disadvantages of home care services are as follows:
Pros
Home care services are quite flexible in terms of what, when, and how they offer it. You will not have this privilege in a nursing home. In-home care, you also have the option to choose how long you can continue a certain service. Through this, you will be able to have control over your home care costs. So, home care is overall less expensive compared to nursing homes and other healthcare facilities out there.
Another very big advantage is that licensed nurses and caregivers from the home care agencies will come to your home instead of you going to them. In this way, you will get the medical support your loved one needs right where they are. In terms of the services they receive, the care plan is personalized for each recipient’s needs.
Not to mention, the one-on-one service that these recipients receive fosters a very strong relationship between them and their caregivers. Because of the undivided attention they receive, trust is formed in the caregiver as well as the service that is being provided. In a nursing home, a similar bond is hard to find.
Cons
However, if your loved ones need intensive services or anything that needs special equipment, then it will be difficult to access in-home care. In some cases, it is also unsafe to administer high-risk procedures at home. Additionally, since home care services are provided in the client’s houses, it does not have the added safety and security measures that a nursing home or other healthcare facilities do.
Moreover, who you are hiring as a caregiver is very important. This is because the entire quality of service depends on this. You will need to properly do a background check on the person you choose for at-home health care. You also have to ensure that the caregiver you have chosen has the right medical experience to cater to your needs.
Pros and Cons of a Nursing Home
The upsides and downsides of the services provided by nursing homes are:
Pros
Nursing homes provide everything that goes with senior care. In their facilities, they have skilled medical care professionals who are available all day and night. They help with any medication needs, emergencies, and other medical help.
In nursing home facilities, they have all types of medical equipment ready to tend to any condition be it mild or serious. Here, the patients are given a private or semi-private room. These facilities are also very safe and secure, so you do not have to worry a bit about the well-being of your loved ones.
Moreover, nursing homes facilitate socialization, so you do not have to worry about your loved ones feeling lonely. They regularly do activities like games, movies, and crafting nights. This provides the residents with the opportunity to interact with others and build friendships. On the other hand, living at home may not allow them to meet new people as much.
Cons
One main downside is that nursing homes are very expensive. To access their facilities, you have to spend comparatively more per month than you would for a home care service. This is because skilled nursing care is quite costly.
Nursing houses provide a 24/7 service along with high-quality medical equipment, classes, and other activities, which adds to the expenses. Not to mention, nursing homes have a certain clinical environment, which is exactly the opposite of one’s home.
Another downside is that the residents have almost no independence in nursing homes. This is because here, they have to follow a schedule where they can’t make any decisions for themselves. This lack of independence usually promotes a negative feeling among the residents.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Between Home Care vs Nursing Home
When it is time for you to choose between home care and a nursing home, there are several factors you should consider before jumping into a decision. Some of these are:
- Carefully assess what kind and how much care your loved one needs. Based on what they need, you can shortlist the services you are looking for.
- Home care is the individuals who need minimal medical assistance and can perform daily tasks with some help.
- Nursing homes are suitable for people who require 24/7 medical supervision and specialized care.
- In the case of home care, family members are a constant part of the decision-making and planning process.
- Nursing home facilities are strictly planned by professionals, which limits family’s involvement while reducing their burden.
Get the Right Kind of Care with DHCare
In the end, it does not matter whether you choose a nursing facility or an in-house care service for your loved ones as long as they are receiving what they need. On one hand, a nursing home will provide their patients with professional services with specialized pieces of equipment. On the other hand, home care licensed nurses offer caring services in their recipients’ homes. Both sides have their advantages.
If your heart feels more at ease with home care, you can find the best home care services at DHCare. Here, we understand and empathize with how your loved ones’ health matters to you. Knowing this, we make sure to provide top-notch services. From nursing needs to housekeeping ones, we offer them all. These will be carried by our licensed and expert nurses and caregivers, so you can rest assured while leaving their care in our hands.
FAQs
Will my insurance cover the home care or nursing home services?
The home care and nursing home service coverage varies from one provider to the other. Long-term care insurance plans like Medicare and Medicaid provide the option for partial and full coverage for both services.
Who are the best recipients of a home care service?
Home care service is best suited for any seniors or people with disabilities who need extra assistance with their daily activities. Home care services can also be availed by people who are suffering from moderate medical conditions.
Is home care service or nursing homes better for providing emotional support?
Home care lets seniors stay in familiar surroundings, which can facilitate independence and enhance emotional well-being. However, nursing homes offer social interaction and structured activities that can prevent loneliness. So, it mainly depends on the recipient’s preference.
When should someone consider a nursing home instead of home care?
You should choose a nursing home instead of a home care agency if your loved one needs 24/7 medical supervision, has complex health conditions, or requires constant assistance with daily activities.