What Are the Alternatives to Moving into a Elder Care Home?

What are the alternatives to moving into a care home?

It is a well-accepted fact that we are now living with an aging population. Although the news is very welcome that most of us will enjoy a longer life, unfortunately, as far as finances are concerned, we are unprepared for this sharp increase of the elderly demographic.

As a result, it is estimated that within a decade, we will be faced with a large public bill as the demand for health care expenditures continue to rise.

The major problem that the elderly face is mobility issues. Often, a care home or personal home carer is considered in these instances. However, as resources become strained and as pensions become stretched over more years, the reality is that accessing these vital tools becomes less feasible.

To reduce the strain on the care industry and to help the elderly maintain a level of independence, there are alternatives that are becoming more widely accepted in recent years thanks to a developing market for this demographic.

Due to financial strains, it is not uncommon for family members to adopt the role of carer. With this in mind, it’s important that mobility is taken into account no matter which home the elderly person is living in: their own or their family’s. If a care home has been considered, think about why that was. If it’s because there are adjustments to the building which allow more freedom for the elderly, this is something that could be implemented in the home.

Immediate families of course make the ideal carer due to their familiarity and low cost, and are usually implemented as a result of professional carers being inaccessible and too expensive Pensions just don’t cover this type of full-time expense.

Particularly for those living alone without a partner, the need for assistance is greater. In the event that there may not be family to take on this role, or if they can’t afford to take the time off work to help out, this doesn’t mean that there can’t be help.

Mobility aids and adjustments to the home are a great starting point and for many, this may be the only life change required to remain independent.

There is an assumption that the majority of the elderly are incredibly frail when in fact this isn’t the case. What’s interesting is that three quarters of Americans over 65 consider themselves to be in good health. For the most case, any help required may be relatively minor and will not justify the expense of a full-time carer.

However, according to a report called The Statistical Abstract of the United Sates by the U.S Census Bureau, more than 6 million people live with a disability which impairs their independence.

With the shift in demographic meaning people over 65 make up an increasing part of the US population, it is this word of ‘independence’ that continues to crop up, and is a top concern for this generation.

With the ability to stay at home through daily living aids, this doesn’t need to be the case, and whether it is a walking stick to help walking around the home, or a perching stool for support when preparing dinner, the market is growing for innovative ways to keep this generation on their feet for many years to come, without breaking the bank and straining the care industry. It’s all about helping this growing generation to help themselves.

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