As loved ones grow older, the task of caring for them can become daunting. Many families attempt to keep their elderly loved ones safe in their own home. This task grows greater as the elderly family members’ needs become more taxing on the family as a whole. As these needs grow the family may began to look at other healthcare options that had not been previously considered.
One of the options, that many people have taken, is to place their elderly loved ones in a nursing home. This can have a negative impact on the elderly family member; being displaced from their home can upset the balance of their lives and lead to depression. The House Government Reform Committee Special Investigation Division found that in a three year period, from 1999 to 2001, that 9,000 instances of elderly abuse, and neglect were reported.
Most claims cited neglect as the reason for complaint, unsanitary conditions, bed sores going untreated, and deficient hygienic practices. Some of the reports were much more severe. Physical, and sexual abuse were found in a smaller number of cases. These reports cause grave concern for those who are considering a nursing home for their elderly family members. While the findings do not mean that all nursing homes are bad, it does give family members cause for concern.
Another option that people are seeking out more frequently is home health care. A caregiver can provide individual service to an elderly family member, in the comfort of their own home. This allows them some level of freedom that a nursing home would lack, and does not cut them off from the rest of the world.
The elderly family member also has free contact with other members of the family, in cases where neglect, or some other offense may occur. For more and more seniors, home care is making their life easier, and families can form a relationship with the caregiver, allowing them to know that their loved one is being taken care of. Choosing a caregiver as opposed to a nursing home may be a much more comfortable solution to the problems that come up concerning an elderly family member.