Ways That Arranging In-Home Care Can Be Safer Than Relocating To A Care Facility

When you live alone but are beginning to notice that you can no longer care for yourself to a desired level, you may think about finding a suitable care facility. There are plenty of care facilities that can offer top-notch care however you need it, as well as companionship and an assortment of activities to enjoy. An alternative, however, is to remain at home and hire an in-home caregiver to visit you daily or, when needed, actually live with you. One topic to consider as you ponder this decision is your safety. You'll often find that arranging in-home care can keep you safer than you might be in a care facility. Here are some reasons why.

No Exposure To Other Residents

If you were to move into a care home, you'd likely find that you'd get along with most of the residents quickly and easily. However, there may be some who could pose a threat to your safety. In many care homes, dementia patients are present. If their dementia is advanced, they may live in a special wing of the building, but it's common for those with moderate dementia to live in the general area. Sometimes, dementia patients can get violent and could cause physical harm to other residents. By arranging in-home care, you won't have this risk.

Constant Supervision

At many care facilities, the ratio of staff to residents is high. In fact, when you consider different homes, you can often obtain this information. However, regardless of the exact numbers, the ratio will never be as high as it is when you arrange home care — that ratio, of course, is 1:1. The constant supervision of a caregiver means that there's less risk of you perhaps getting outside and causing harm to yourself. Even those with very mild dementia are prone to wandering, and while care homes are often locked, it's possible to slip out the door as a visitor enters and not have a staff member detect you. At home, such a scenario is highly unlikely.

More Familiarity

People often find that as they age, they feel safer in their own homes. In the new environment of a care home, it's easy to feel at risk of a safety issue such as falling. For example, if you aren't accustomed to the hallway, you might inadvertently trip down a ramp because you weren't aware that it was there. At home, you're highly aware of how to get around safely — and may even be able to do it with your eyes closed. This, coupled with how the caregiver will look for strategies to make getting around your home even safer and easier, can help you feel safer at home than in a facility.

Contact a company, like Assured Home Nursing Services Inc, for more help.