Caring for any terminally ill or old member of the family comes with many responsibilities. It is not a task for the faint-hearted since the job requires unconditional love, time, emotional availability, and physical proactiveness. You need to give all your time and effort to the person in need and make sure to be at their side, no matter what. However, the current lifestyle of most working adults does not allow them such privilege. Moreover, the situation becomes more complicated if they live miles away from the person in need. 

In situations like these, you can make the most of the two commonly available solutions –in-home care or nursing care. Both of these solutions are the best choices for taking good care of your family members. 

While in-home care involves the appointment of a professional to take care of an individual in the patient’s home, nursing care is the process of shifting them to a care center to look after them. When it comes to deciding which one offers a better service, the choice may seem dicey. 

Here is the comparison between in-home care and nursing care and which one should you go with: 

In-Home Care: 

As the name suggests, in-home care refers to the act of providing care within the comfort of an individual’s home. It is a more personalized service since it allows your loved one to remain in their home. An in-home care service is often a go-to option for individuals who have dementia or Alzheimer’s. 

With in-home care services, a professional caregiver is hired and assigned for the person in need. This caregiver then takes charge of caring for the health of your loved one. Some healthcare programs such as CDPAP or Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program also allow patients to choose a caregiver from their friends or family members. In return, the chosen caregiver gets paid through the program. CDPAP enables the patient to be guilt-free for demanding more time and attention from their caregiver while the friend or family member is relieved from the monetary stress of taking time off work. The popularity of this program lies in the fact that patients can get access to emotional and physical support from a known face in the comfort of their own homes. 

In-home care comes with many benefits. Firstly, it is a one-on-one-driven service that is more personalized for the individual in need. In-home care is comfortable and familiar and a good option for the senior citizens as they remain independent and cared for in a recognized environment. In-home care is a cost-effective solution that you can use in the long run. 

Nursing Care: 

Nursing care works on the concept of shifting an individual in a nursing home where they are looked after by professionals. You can choose this option when your elderly family members cannot care for themselves any longer. Nursing care centers are staffed with all the medical professionals who provide around-the-clock services for their patients. 

Apart from extending medical care, some of these professionals also extend non-medical functions to the patients in need. Nursing homes provide for a more secure environment for any terminally ill patient. 

However, there are some drawbacks as well. Choosing a nursing home for your elderly family member can be heavy on your pocket. Moreover, they remove the independence of an individual because of which they might feel cranky and show a slower recovery. 

Takeaway: 

If you are supposed to choose one from the above-listed options, opting for in-home care for your loved ones makes a more suitable option. A homely environment makes them feel more comfortable and speeds up their recovery. Moreover, the involvement of your family available in the programs such as the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program always gives them a sense of love and assurance.