Most older adults wish to age-in-place in their own home for as long as possible but even after downsizing, fall-proofing and choosing an age-friendly community, many seniors will eventually need help with daily tasks or medication management. An innovative approach to continuing care may be the solution so many seniors are looking for; support at home with the option to move into a retirement community for additional care should the need arise in the short or long term.
According to a recent article in the New York Times: The New Old Age, continuing care at-home programs may be a more affordable option for seniors, especially those living alone, who don’t want to burden their families with ongoing daily care. This relatively new long-term care option like the program offered by Springpoint Choice, allows older adults to stay at home with help from a care navigator who monitors health needs and schedules care at home. If the need arises following surgery, for example, rehabilitation at a local campus can be arranged followed by physical therapy and help at home with household tasks.
In addition to health care, members of at-home Community Care Retirement Communities (CCRC) can enjoy social outings, use fitness facilities at a local campus and get to know the staff and other residents. The hybrid model for home-care is new and may not be approved in every state or province but as the number of older adults continues to grow with the aging of the baby boomer generation, a CCRC without walls may make sense for many seniors. And when the need diminishes over time for long-term care, there will be fewer brick and mortar facilities standing empty.
Continuing care at home may be a good option for relatively healthy seniors who aren’t ready to move to a retirement community but they usually won’t accept members with serious chronic health conditions like Parkinson’s disease or dementia. The costs vary and include a significant entry fee and monthly fees based on the level of coverage selected; extra services such as physical therapy or transportation may incur additional costs. Contact your local agency on aging to see if there are any at-home CCRC programs near you. In Canada, visit Bayshore Healthcare to learn more about caring for seniors at home.
Add Your Voice
0 Comments
Join the Discussion