by Shelley | Feb 13, 2023 | Dear Donna
Dear Donna:
My parents both turned 80 this year and still live independently in their own home. Recently, I’ve noticed signs that have me wondering if we’ll need to make a change soon. Their house isn’t quite as clean and cared for as it’s always been, and even my mom’s physical appearance is a little less tidy.
I think it’s time for me to start exploring senior care options. One thing I don’t quite understand is how home care is different from assisted living. Do they offer the same services? Is it cheaper to stay home and hire a caregiver? My parents have the means to do either but have always been frugal. Finances will be an issue that impacts their decision.
Sincerely,
Haley in Traverse City, MI
Home Care versus Assisted Living for Older Adults
Dear Haley:
Planning ahead is always a great idea when it comes to aging parents and their well-being. Failing to create a backup plan often means adult children are forced to find senior living after a loved one experiences a health crisis or accident. That makes an already stressful situation even worse.
When you are assisting an aging parent who is investigating their options for care, deciding between home care and assisted living is a common struggle. It really comes down to whether a senior loved one can age in place with support like home care or if they are better off transitioning to an assisted living community.
Cost plays a key role in making this decision. Many people mistakenly believe it is less expensive to age at home. Assisted living costs can be equal to or lower than remaining in a private home.
Other factors to take into account when comparing aging in place with assisted living include your parents’ health, availability of loved ones nearby to provide assistance, and the safety of their home. Many older homes aren’t built with the needs of seniors in mind. It can put them at increased risk for falls, which are a leading cause of serious injury among older people.
Here are a few more expenses to consider when deciding between aging at home and moving to assisted living.
Costs of Aging in Place versus Moving to Assisted Living
- Home maintenance and modification
When aging parents live in a home without a mortgage, it’s easy to assume staying at home and hiring an in-home caregiver is less expensive. Sometimes it is, at least temporarily.
In addition to utilities, however, a homeowner must also pay for maintenance and upkeep, property taxes, and repairs. Appliances will need to be replaced on occasion, including major appliances like the furnace, water heater, and air conditioning.
Depending upon the home and the seniors’ abilities, safety modifications, such as installing a step-free shower or improving lighting, might also need to be made. Those will significantly increase expenses. Older adults who age at home will reach a point when they can no longer maintain their home independently. They often need to hire service providers for chores like housecleaning, lawn care, grocery shopping, and meal preparation. One benefit of assisted living communities is that these expenses are typically included in the base monthly fees.
The aging process can bring unavoidable physical changes. Some might make the activities of daily living difficult for an older couple to handle independently. Personal care tasks, such as bathing, grooming, and dressing, might require a helping hand. That’s also true for menu planning, meal preparation, and transportation.
If your parents eventually need to hire an in-home caregiver for assistance, the expense can quickly add up. The cost of private duty home care has risen significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic. Agencies now charge from $28 to $40 or more an hour, and many require a minimum number of hours per visit or per week.
By contrast, assisted living residents receive much of this support as part of their monthly fee. This includes meal preparation, housekeeping, wellness programs, personal care, transportation, and more. Unlike with home care, assisted living caregivers are on-site and available around the clock.
I hope this information is helpful, Haley! Please contact the Heritage community nearest to you if you have any more questions or would like to schedule a tour.
Kind regards,
Donna
by Shelley | Oct 24, 2022 | Healthy Aging
Retirement is a time when most older adults have more free time than ever before. Some choose to travel extensively, while others might explore new hobbies. No matter how you choose to spend your retirement, it’s important to make fitness a regular part of your life.
Seniors who fall into a sedentary lifestyle put their health in danger. In fact, some researchers say spending too much time sitting is as dangerous as smoking for older adults. As we head into another Midwest winter, seniors should talk with their primary care physician about indoor fitness activities.
Activities to Stay Fit in Retirement
Without a doubt, winter in Michigan and Indiana can limit outdoor activities for older adults. Cold weather, ice, and snow keep many people indoors. But there are a variety of senior-friendly indoor fitness options. Not only will they help you or a senior loved one avoid the hazards of a sedentary life, but they might also aid in preventing falls.
Here are some fitness ideas to discuss with your doctor:
- Walking: While it might seem boring and not strenuous enough, walking is actually a very good form of physical fitness. In addition to the cardiovascular benefits, it can also decrease stress and improve balance. In warmer months, the only equipment required is a pair of sturdy walking shoes. For inclement weather days, a home treadmill can be ideal.
- Go4Life: If you prefer a more goal-oriented, structured exercise program, consider Go4Life. This free program, created by the National Institute on Aging at NIH, makes it easier to focus on fitness. It offers a variety of fitness resources for seniors, from workout videos to tools for tracking goals and progress.
- Chair yoga: One benefit of yoga for seniors is how easy it is to practice from a seated position. Chair yoga builds strength and endurance while protecting balance and mobility. Each is essential for fall prevention. There are many free videos online to help seniors learn at home. Check out Gentle Chair Yoga for Beginners and Seniors and Chair Yoga Stretch for Beginners, Seniors & Everyone.
- Tai Chi: Tai Chi combines slow, steady movements with breath control. Because it is gentle on the body, it can be a good option for older adults to incorporate exercise into their fitness routine. Many senior centers and fitness clubs offer classes. “Tai Chi for Arthritis” is a good resource to learn more and get started.
- SilverSneakers: Joining a fitness program designed especially for older adults can be less intimidating than those offered to the general public. One to explore is a program known as SilverSneakers. Insurance companies often include it for free in their member benefits for seniors. Visit the SilverSneakers website to check if your health insurance plan participates.
- Cycling: Another idea is bike riding. It’s a great fitness activity indoors or out. If you’re nervous about bicycle accidents, investing in the increasingly popular adult tricycle might be an option. When it’s raining or snowing out, a recumbent bike might be useful. You can probably find a good used one for a reasonable price at a local garage sale or Facebook marketplace. These cycling tips for seniors can help an older adult get started.
- Swimming: If your local fitness center has a warm therapy pool, it can provide a good form of fitness all year round. Swimming improves flexibility, stamina, balance, and sleep quality. In addition to these benefits, it’s also easy on older joints.
Unique Wellness Model at Heritage
At Heritage Senior Communities, we take a unique approach to wellness. It’s a holistic philosophy that nurtures the body, mind, and spirit. See it for yourself when you schedule a visit to a community near you today!
by Shelley | Oct 19, 2020 | Caregiving
Home fires are a concern for people across the U.S., especially older adults. According to the National Fire Protection Association, one home fire is reported every 85 seconds. While home fires can happen anytime, they generally occur more during cooler weather....
by Shelley | Jul 30, 2024 | Healthy Aging
As we approach the 2024-2025 flu season, there are several important considerations to be aware of to protect yourself and your loved ones. While the virus might not seem like a big deal to younger, healthier people, it can be deadly for older adults or those with compromised immune systems.
Every year, seniors make up the majority of influenza-related hospitalizations and deaths. Research shows that during the 2022-2023 flu season, 332 seniors of every 100,000 older adults in the country ended up in the hospital after contracting the virus. That compares with just 46 of every 100,000 younger people.
Seniors and Flu Season
Because seniors are more vulnerable to the flu, it’s important for them to learn more about it. Here is some information you should know:
- Predicting influenza strains
The flu virus is known to mutate regularly, leading health experts to monitor and predict which strains are likely to circulate each season. Vaccines are developed based on these predictions to provide protection against the most prevalent strains. Health organizations like the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and WHO (World Health Organization) release recommendations on the composition of the flu vaccine to maximize effectiveness. That can provide you with an idea of how bad the flu season is likely to be. According to the CDC, vaccines for the 2024-2025 flu season are all likely to be trivalent. This means they will protect you from three different viruses.
Getting vaccinated remains the most effective way to prevent the flu and the complications it can cause, such as pneumonia. The flu vaccine is typically recommended for everyone aged 6 months and older, especially individuals at higher risk of severe illness, including seniors, young children, pregnant women, and those with underlying health conditions.
While experts usually suggest people in high-risk categories be vaccinated in October, it’s important to check with your primary care physician. They can make personalized recommendations on flu shot timing. While getting vaccinated before peak flu activity begins is crucial for optimal protection, so is ensuring that you are covered for the duration of influenza season.
- Antiviral treatment options
Antiviral medications are available to treat influenza and may be recommended for individuals who are at higher risk of severe illness. However, it’s important to know that time is of the essence with these types of medications. Early treatment with antivirals can reduce the severity and duration of flu symptoms if administered within the first 48 hours of symptom onset. At the first sign of the flu, call your doctor for advice or an appointment.
- Other prevention measures
Beyond being vaccinated, developing good prevention habits can help you avoid being bitten by the flu bug or other respiratory viruses. Frequent handwashing with soap and water, covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, avoiding close contact with sick individuals, and staying home when feeling unwell can all offer protection. If you need to go to a crowded area or gathering when the flu outbreak is high, wear a mask and keep hand sanitizer in your pocket or purse. It’s also important to eat well and get rest during flu season.
- Symptom differentiation from COVID-19
Recognizing the symptoms of flu, which can include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, fatigue, and headache, is important for early diagnosis and treatment. But symptoms of flu and COVID-19 can overlap, making testing essential for accurate diagnosis. That means if you do get sick, your health care provider will probably want to continue to test for both conditions so they can provide appropriate care.
Bookmark the Heritage Blog
Staying informed about the upcoming 2024-2025 flu season is crucial for individuals and communities to prepare effectively. We encourage you to bookmark the Heritage blog and stop back often for updates on flu season and other topics important to older adults and family caregivers.
