In a 2010 survey by AARP, an overwhelming majority of seniors said they prefer to live at home as long as possible. Live-in care can help someone who needs companionship and assistance with daily tasks, but does not necessarily need long-term around-the-clock medical attention.
Short-Term Live-In Home Care
Live-in care is not always covered by insurance, but it may be affordable for a short period. For example, recovery after trauma or surgery may not require a long period of care, and the comfort of staying at home can be worth the expense.
Live-In Care for Couples
Many nursing homes will not have facilities that allow a couple to live together. Live-in care can allow couples where one or both partners need regular medical or personal attention to stay together, with personalized care that allows them to live their lives without the restrictions that will be imposed upon them in a nursing home. Live-in care can be much more affordable than two separate nursing home packages; while there may be a nominal additional fee for a couple, it will be far less than the cost of an entirely separate nursing home package.
Live-In Home Care and Early Stages Dementia
Most dementia patients find change disorienting and upsetting. Live-in home care means the patient can stay in a familiar environment, surrounded by beloved objects. The familiarity helps provide a feeling of security and may lessen memory loss in the short term.
Keeping a regular routine is also comforting to a dementia patient. Live-in care provides a continuity that may help an elderly person preserve a sense of normalcy.