A recent article stated – “Home Care is a cheaper option than moving into a retirement home, especially when only a small number of hours a week is required. When an elderly care recipient requires 7/24 coverage the costs of home care could exceed that of a retirement home.”
While this statement is generally true, one must be careful when assessing elderly care options and the ancillary costs to ensure you have all the facts to realize the broader picture. In most retirement homes, monthly rent is frequently not as all-inclusive as one may think. Many care homes charge extra for the services which will likely be required, such as continence care, assistance with dressing, personal hygiene, bathing, and dispensing medication. Such was the case when one of our elderly care client family members recently contacted us to lament the fact that the nursing home staff was charging them an incremental hourly rate (rounded to nearest 15 minutes) of $75.00 for a Registered Nurse to dispense medication. Her mother required a single pill four times daily! Many care homes have 24/7 care staff available at a high hourly rate, but they do not match the level of personal attention a home care agency Personal Support Worker (PSW) can provide with one-on-one elderly care assistance.
Individuals and families obviously do not wish to spend any more money than required, but even more dislike not receiving value for their money, or as our client said, being “nickeled and dimed”. Families often find that they can spend a bundle at a retirement home and still be disappointed with the level of care received.
Deciding upon home care versus a Retirement Home or Assisted Living Facility goes well beyond just the difference in costs. However, ultimately, families want what’s best for their parents. They want them to receive the services they need to maintain normal life as much as possible, and we want them to be happy and comfortable where they live. A one-on-one personal relationship with a home care qualified PSW who attends when needed can provide a higher level of service than most retirement homes. In survey after survey more than 80% of seniors report that they want to live where they want to be…at home! Why? Because their home is familiar, they know where everything is, they have a social network in place, friends and family can easily come and go, and they don’t like change as they understand that moving and selling a home is extremely disruptive.
The cost of home care is always important but only part of the equation when considering options for loved ones. Quality of life together with value for money should be an integral part of the conversation.
Written by Robert Lee