You may be coming to the reality that senior care is needed for your elderly loved one. Aging parents may often need a caregiver to ensure health and safety is top priority. Knowing how much senior care will cost you will certainly be part of your caregiver plan. Here’s what you need to know.
There are 3 Common Senior Care Options
- Assisted living communities
- Nursing homes
- In-home caregiving
There are a few misconceptions about senior care costs. One is that nursing homes are often the least costly. However, this is not always true. In fact, in-home care costs can add up quick, depending on the care needed.
In-home care agencies often pay caregivers per hour, so how much care (hours per day needed) is a good question to ask. If your elderly loved one needs constant care, in the case of Alzheimer’s or dementia, the cost could be high.
Comparing Different Senior Care Types
Be Proactive When It Comes To Senior Care
It is important to begin your research on senior care costs early. Be proactive and seek out both private and home care agencies to get the facts. Sure, price is a concern, but the standard of care and the type of caregiver you hire is also very, very important!
For instance, home care agencies have a vetting process that screens caregivers against strict standards and regulations. For independent caregivers, this is not always the case.
Do plenty of research and include your elderly loved one in the conversation. Don’t forget to take into account their autonomy and independence, after all, they earned it. Do you have any tips or stories about your caregiver experience?