Our COVID-19 Response at Elder Care Homecare. Read Now


Blog Layout

Home Care vs. Nursing Homes: What’s the Difference?

Jul 19, 2021

Taking proper care of a senior family member or loved one can sometimes get very demanding. Even though we would like to always be there for them, sometimes life gets in the way. Naturally, it’s understandable that a bit of outside help could greatly improve the quality of life of our seniors. 


Now, choosing the care of a loved one is never an easy task. While many like the socialization nursing home facilities offer, some seniors rather stay at their homes for various reasons. 


The two main options are nursing homes and
senior home care. Choosing between the two is not a task to be taken lightly. That’s why up next, we provide the pros and cons of each one so you can make a more informed decision about your loved ones. 


Nursing Homes: 

There are cases when nursing homes are the best option when considering the senior’s safety and health. While leaving a loved one’s care not only in the hands of someone you don’t know but in a remote place can get really scary, there are many pros and cons to taking into account when making a decision.


Pros

  • Around-the-clock care: being there for your loved ones can get pretty difficult at times. Fortunately, nursing homes can provide certified medical care all the time. If something happens at night, there are nurses available to help. During the day, there are usually doctors for even more senior care.
  • Schedules: having a structured schedule is a very important thing for senior citizens. When living at a nursing home, everything happens within a schedule.
  • Active social life: as a footnote to the last point, social activities will always be scheduled. These activities give the chance of seniors to meet other people their age and keep an active life while being a part of a community. 

Cons

  • It’s expensive: usually, it can cost families several thousands of dollars to put a family member into a nursing home. At times, it might not be the best option for many families.
  • Not a lot of freedom: while schedules are important, the shift from active independent life into a more confined one can be a very difficult thing to deal with for a senior citizen. 
  • Bad reputation: Finally, the main thing that draws people back from nursing homes is the horror stories regarding malpractice and just all-around terrible care from nurses and doctors.


Senior Home Care:

If your loved one doesn’t want to leave their home, and if the idea of them living in a facility far away is something too difficult to handle, senior home care might be the best bet for you!


The profound appeal of senior home care is that it takes the great things of nursing homes right to your door without all the costs! Up next, we go over some pros and cons.


Pros

  • Independence: while a professional will accompany your loved ones at all times, they’ll still have certain agencies regarding their day-to-day life. 
  • Privacy: dealing with only one external personal care professional is a lot easier than dealing with the highly rotated staff at a nursing home.
  • Convenience: daily, caretakers will assist with everything from bathing to buying groceries and taking your loved one to doctor’s appointments.
  • Family time: you’ll be able to visit your loved one whenever you want!


Cons

  • Less structure: while the professional caretaker will undoubtedly try to develop a schedule for your loved one. 
  • Social life can suffer: being in a nursing home facility with other people their age can be positive for your loved ones. At home, social activities must be self-managed.



Get the Best Senior Care Right At Home

While there are some tradeoffs in deciding between senior home care and nursing homes, the comprehensive care offered by Elder Care Homecare is simply unmatchable. 


We offer the best possible healthcare available right at the convenience of your loved one’s home. Our certified professional caregivers have vast experience. We cater all our care plans for every one of our patients, so we 100% fulfill their needs. 


If you’re looking for elderly home care in Westchester, NY. In that case, Elder Care Homecare is the superior option for your loved ones. Give us a call, and we’ll take care of the rest!

CONTACT US NOW
Need Care For You or Your Loved One? 
We Can Help!

Call Us Today: (914) 268-6221

New York City Elder Home Care Blog

Cognitive impairment homecare
By Angelo Sta Maria 02 May, 2024
Discover the essential criteria for qualifying for senior home health care services: medical requirements, mobility limitations & cognitive impairments.
Nurse gently holding the hand of an elderly woman.
By Angelo Sta Maria 18 Apr, 2024
Discover if Medicare covers home health care. Learn about its limitations, criteria for coverage & the role of Medicare Parts A & B in this guide. Read On
By Brendan Keane 18 Jan, 2024
Being a leader in senior homecare comes with knowledge from years of industry experience. Read about Elder Care Homecare's cardiac arrest first aid here
By Brendan Keane 18 Jan, 2024
Elder Care Homecare is the top elder homecare agency in New York serving Manhattan, Westchester, and Long Island. Click here to get answers for FAQs.
Elder women choking in a wheelchair
By Brendan Keane 18 Jan, 2024
Elder Care Homecare in New York, NY came up with this choking first-response guide backed by multiple years of industry experience. Act now, click here!
By Brendan Keane 16 Jan, 2024
Technology plays a vital role in our daily lives in our increasingly digital world. One of the most significant tools we have at our disposal is the smartphone. With its many features and applications, smartphones can greatly enhance our lifestyles. This is especially true for our senior citizens. Teaching elderly citizens to use a smartphone can open up new avenues of communication, entertainment, and health monitoring. This blog post is a practical guide for caretakers who want to help their elderly loved ones navigate the world of smartphones and enhance their senior lifestyle. Let's get started! What to Cover When Teaching Your Elders How to Use Their Smartphones Basic Phone Features Every smartphone's operating system differs, so it's important to start with the basics that apply to the specific phone your elder is using. Show them how to make and receive calls, send messages, and adjust settings like volume and brightness. Photo Sharing and Video Calls Teach them to capture memories with the camera feature. Show them how to take photos, view them, delete unwanted ones, and share them with family and friends. Additionally, introduce them to video calling. It's vital to discuss video call etiquette, like asking the other person if they're available for a video call before starting one. Entertainment Apps Apps like YouTube can be a treasure trove of entertainment. From old songs and movies to informative documentaries, YouTube can keep seniors engaged and entertained for hours. Health and Wellness Apps Smartphones can also serve as health monitoring devices. Show them how to use apps that track heartbeats, steps, and sleep patterns. These features can be crucial in maintaining a healthy senior lifestyle. Navigating Social Media Social media platforms can help seniors stay connected with their loved ones and the world. However, it's important to teach them about social media safety, such as identifying potential scammers and understanding online interactions' basic do’s and don'ts. Let's Bridge the Digital Gap Together We all want our elderly loved ones to be independent, connected, and engaged in today's digital world. Yet, it can be frustrating when they struggle with learning how to use their smartphones. No one wants to see their elderly loved ones feeling left behind in this fast-paced digital age. At Elder Care Homecare, we understand you want only the best. We believe that teaching elderly citizens to use smartphones is not just about showing them how to operate a device. It's about empowering them to enhance their lifestyle and keep them connected. That's why our companion care services are an excellent option for your loved one. Contact Elder Care Homecare today, and let's bridge the digital gap together!
By Brendan Keane 16 Jan, 2024
Winter in New York City can be a magical time, especially when you know how to enjoy it safely. For seniors, engaging in fun and safe winter activities can greatly enhance their physical and mental well-being. Don't know where to start or what activities to do with them? You're in the right place. This blog post is for all the caretakers and family members looking for ways to keep their senior loved ones entertained and happy during winter. Let's dive into some of the best winter activities for seniors in NYC! Entertaining Activities You Can Do With Your Elders Can't think of something entertaining to do with your loved ones? Here are some winter activities you can try! Winter Walks In Iconic Parks Walking is a simple yet effective exercise with numerous health benefits for seniors. It improves cardiovascular health, boosts mood, and reduces stress. Encouraging your senior loved ones to take winter walks in NYC's iconic parks, such as Central Park or the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, can be a beautiful and refreshing experience. Remember, proper winter attire is key to enjoying these walks! Cultural Outings Cultural outings like visiting museums can stimulate the mind and promote cognitive health. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Natural History, and the Guggenheim are just a few places where seniors can immerse themselves in art, history, and culture. Plus, these indoor spaces are warm and cozy - perfect for a winter day out! Crafting & Hobbies Engaging in crafting activities or hobbies can be incredibly beneficial for seniors. It promotes hand-eye coordination, stimulates creativity, and can help improve memory. Consider organizing a knitting session, a painting class, or even a book club! These activities can be done at home, ensuring warmth and safety. Winter Wellness Workshops Winter wellness workshops or classes can be a great way for seniors to stay active and healthy during the colder months. Yoga, tai chi, or dance classes tailored for seniors can help improve flexibility, balance, and strength. Many community centers in NYC offer such classes specifically designed for seniors. Indoor Gardening Indoor gardening is a relaxing and rewarding winter activity that seniors can enjoy. It's therapeutic and offers the satisfaction of nurturing life from a seed. It's an excellent way to brighten the living space with greenery! Making the Most of Winter With Elder Care Homecare As caretakers or family members, we all want our senior loved ones to have a fulfilling and joyful life. However, finding safe and engaging winter activities during the cold months can be challenging. No one should have to feel isolated or bored during winter, especially not our elders. At Elder Care Homecare, we know how important their well-being is for you and are here to help. Embracing winter with these fun and safe activities can ensure that your senior loved ones have an enjoyable season while staying healthy and happy. After all, winter in NYC has its own charm; let's make the most of it!
Ventilator
By Brendan Keane 31 Oct, 2023
The importance of In-Home Nursing Care for Ventilator and Tracheostomy Patients.
Senior holding hands with caregiver.
By Brendan Keane 27 Oct, 2023
Communication plays a crucial role in caregiving for individuals with dementia. However, dementia can significantly impact communication skills, memory, focus, language skills, visual perception, and problem-solving abilities. As the disease progresses, individuals may experience difficulty finding words, understanding meanings, paying attention, and remembering steps in activities. They may also become confused about language and rely on the first language they learned. Expressing needs, emotions, and thoughts can become challenging for them. It is important for caregivers to be aware of these challenges and adjust their communication strategies accordingly.
By Brendan Keane 25 Oct, 2023
Understanding Stress in Senior Citizens Stress is a natural response to challenges or demands that individuals experience. In the context of senior citizens, stress refers to the emotional and physiological strain that can arise due to various factors. Seniors may experience stress due to coping with loss, worrying about health decline, financial concerns, changes in living arrangements, or social isolation. It is important to understand that stress can have negative impacts on seniors' health, including an increased risk of heart disease, weakened immune system, depression, memory loss, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, and impaired cognitive function. Therefore, proper stress management is crucial for seniors as their bodies may have a reduced ability to cope with stress compared to younger individuals. By managing stress effectively, seniors can improve their overall well-being and quality of life.
More Posts
Share by: