The average age of Tri-Village residents is slowly but steadily increasing as the Baby Boom generation gets older.
This year there are 7,823 Upper Arlington residents over the age of 60, compared to 7,725 in 2000, according to U.S. Census data. Though that’s not a large change, it is indicative of the trend.
As people get older, it can get more difficult for them to live on their own. The children of the Baby Boomers must decide: “Can Mom and Dad stay home, or do we need to consider moving them out?”
Options for seniors who cannot be completely on their own anymore include moving in with a relative, moving to an assisted living facility or staying at home – with some help.
Tri-Village area companies such as Home Instead Senior Care, Griswold Homes and Advanced Home Health Solutions provide skilled caregivers who can meet a variety of needs, from a few hours a couple days a week to run errands and provide companionship, to 24/7 nursing care.
One indicator that your loved one needs some additional assistance is a fall. Falls are the leading cause of injury-related visits to the emergency room in the U.S. and are the primary cause of accidental deaths in people over age 65, says Sarah Shuherk, manager at Griswold Home Care. Other indicators could be forgetfulness, trouble with mobility or frequent illnesses.
A common reason seniors choose to stay at home is that home is where people are most comfortable.
“Home care serves to maintain independence and reduce stress in the senior population,” says Bonnie Cramer, owner of Advanced Home Health Solutions. “They enjoy being able to do the things they want, when they want, in a place that makes them comfortable.”
According to Home Instead Senior Care, 95 percent of people interviewed on the subject would choose staying in their home over leaving it.
An advantage to in-home assistance is the personalized care that is offered. At the average assisted living facility, there are several people working in shifts to care for clients. With an in-home caregiver, you usually have one person dedicated to you personally, says Marilyn Parker, client care coordinator at Home Instead. The caregiver will get to know the client, his or her habits and likes and dislikes. That person can be a friend and companion in addition to a helper.
Caregivers for Home Instead go through training, learning how to assess situations, how to be in someone’s home without being intrusive and how to interact without being overpowering, among other skills. Some are registered nurses, but all caregivers are trained to be prepared for unexpected situations, from medical emergencies and tracking medication dosage to cooking or helping their client learn a new hobby, Parker says.
Caregivers are matched with clients by the company and are formally introduced so they can get to know each other and decide if it’s a good fit, she says. In addition, each home situation is constantly reassessed to determine the level of care needed.
“We can change caregivers on a dime. If the client isn’t comfortable, we can change,” Parker says.
Finally, there can be a financial advantage to choosing in-home care over assisted living. Unless the senior needs 24/7 care, in-home care will on average cost less than an assisted living facility, Shuherk says.
“On average, home care agencies rates are $15-$25 per hour, with the caregiver being paid $8.50-$11.00 (an hour),” Shuherk says.
Taylor Woodhouse is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.
