When Care at Home is Best
Most older adults express a wish to age in place and remain in their own homes for as long as possible. In-home caregiving is available from 1 hour per week to 24 hour per day support with supplemental home nursing service which covers the vast range of health needs up through and including palliative care.- Staying in a familiar space that you know how to navigate
- Staying close to neighbors and community contacts
- Continuing with your routines at your chosen times
- Having personalized meals at your chosen times (and no assigned seating for meals)
- Control over the lights, noise and disruptions in your space
- Caregivers you have a relationship with, who know your likes, dislikes, routines and ‘normal’ very well
- Maintaining independence longer
- Keeping your pets
- Care at Home can offer a comprehensive solution that handles most daily needs including errands, escorts and groceries
Government
- Government-funded care is limited. Normally up to ~4 hours per day depending on local health authority guidelines
- Home safety adjustments or equipment may be needed
- The allowable tasks may leave more gaps that family must cover
- Caregiver availability may be limited and scheduling continuity can be challenging, especially for remote clients
- Exceptional behavioral challenges may not be safe to support at home
Private
- Cost is the most common barrier to extensive private home support. Based on current survey data it is roughly <span class="cpc-stat" data-stat="monthly_per_hour" data-format="comma">$1,675</span> monthly for each hour of daily service. Ex 4 hours of service per day = <span class="cpc-stat" data-stat="monthly_per_hour" data-format="comma" data-suffix=" ×4">$1,675</span> per month
- Home care maxes out service with Live-in and 24 Hour care. Based on our most recent provider survey the median cost for these services is <span class="cpc-stat" data-stat="monthly_livein_med" data-format="k">$20k</span> and <span class="cpc-stat" data-stat="monthly_24h_med" data-format="k">$40k</span> per month plus tax respectively
- Home safety adjustments or equipment may be needed
- For Remote Clients, caregiver availability may be limited and added travel cost
- Exceptional behavioral challenges may not be safe to support at home
- Value control, privacy, and independence
- Prefer personalized routines
- Have sensory sensitivities or dislike crowds
- Want minimal disruption to lifestyle
- Have pets they do not want to part with
- Want one-to-one care from a consistent team of caregivers
- May have a strong emotional attachment to the home
- May have community connections and relationships they don't want to lose
- Do not enjoy group activities or communal dining
- Can afford to pay for their current and projected care needs without concern that service will end prematurely.
- The current median cost is ~<span class="cpc-stat" data-stat="monthly_per_hour" data-format="comma">$1,675</span> per month for 1 hour of service each day.
- At the minimum, we can provide 1 hour of service each week for ~<span class="cpc-stat" data-stat="monthly_1h_week">$260</span> per month. This is often someone who has Government home support but comes to private care to obtain a consistent person for their shower.
- At the maximum, Live-in (Homestay) services provide round-the-clock availability for ~<span class="cpc-stat" data-stat="monthly_livein_low" data-format="k">$20k</span>-<span class="cpc-stat" data-stat="monthly_livein_high" data-format="k">$24k</span> per month. Often this is for someone who needs someone available at all times throughout the day for someone who requires assisted mobility, dementia care or end-of-life care
- And 24 Hour care is round-the-clock care expected where caregivers expect to be woken up throughout the night. 24h Care for a month would be ~<span class="cpc-stat" data-stat="monthly_24h_med" data-format="k">$40k</span>, however this service is usually short term, often only a few days to weeks for someone receiving end-of-life care
Pro-tip: Care at Home provides caregivers who know you and are there only for you as life changes. Care in a Group Home is caregivers who have dozens of clients and are shared among the group. It is a significant and meaningful difference in care personalization, the relationships you have and how well those people know you.