Aging in Place vs. Nursing Home Care: Important Factors to Make the Right Choice

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Safe Harbor Law Firm

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Posted on

Jul 21, 2023

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Florida - Southwest

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A growing portion of the older population wants to stay in their homes as long as possible. This is known as “aging in place” and has several benefits when it is appropriate for the individual. However, there are some other care concerns to consider when deciding whether someone is at the point of needing additional help.

Comfort and Familiarity

Most people want to remain in their homes because of the comfort, familiarity, and memories within it. Moving into assisted living or a nursing home is a big change for anyone, but especially for a senior who feels the loss of their independence during this transition. Remember that, when it is safe for them to stay there, someone’s home can support their overall mental and physical health.

If staying in the same place is important to your loved one, look for ways to ease your mind while also protecting their independence. Is there a neighbor or friend who can check on them each week? Can you drop in every other weekend to make sure things are going well?

Safety Concerns

Many adult children or other loved ones start thinking about these issues because they’re concerned over safety. Triggering events prompting a conversation about additional care needs include a loved one beginning to show signs of dementia or suffering one or more physical incidents like a fall in their home.

Your Time and Proximity

As a family member, it’s natural to want to do everything you can to care for a loved one. Caregiving, however, can be very difficult and time consuming. It can be even more challenging if you don’t live nearby. If your time and that of other family members can no longer support a loved one, a nursing home or assisted living may be the answer.

Finances

Whether or not your loved one owns their home is the first consideration. Ongoing mortgage payments are just part of the puzzle. It can be hard for people to part with their home, but maintenance concerns and costs can be problematic. Evaluate the age of appliances and yard maintenance required, too. At some point a home might be more trouble than it’s worth to the occupant.

Medical Support Needed

If a loved one only needs help with light housekeeping or meal preparation, they may not need to move to another location, especially a nursing home. Local organizations or a part-time hire could help with these needs while allowing your loved one to stay in their home.

However, if they have more advanced medical needs or challenges with multiple activities of daily living, in-home care from a medical professional could bridge the gap. For more advanced situations, a nursing home might be appropriate.

There are other care options along the spectrum in between care services provided by family and a nursing home. Part-time help from someone local such as a nurse, in-home care providers, assisted living, and adult day care are just a few. For someone who needs extra support but does not require the support of a formal nursing home, these options are well worth exploring.

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Safe Harbor Law

Probate 4500 Executive Drive, Naples, Florida, 34119

Pam Buff Baker, Esq., owner and founder of Safe Harbor Law Firm works closely with clients to meet their legal needs. In particular, Pam works in all areas of Estate Planning, Elder Law, Probate and Trust Administration. Pam graduated magna cum laude from Tulane University, having majored in chemical engineering. Since graduating from Tulane, Pam has worked in sales, marketing, and technical support for Eka Chemicals (part of Akzo Nobel), a company division that supplies water purification and treatment systems. Later, Pam moved to Naples, Florida. Since then, Pam graduated summa cum laude from Ave Maria School of Law, where she was Associate Editor of the Law Review and a scholarship winner. During her time at Ave Maria School of Law, Pam worked in the legal department of Arthrex and interned for several local law firms. Pam is a champion golfer, having been a varsity player at Tulane, inducted into the Hall of Fame. She was an All-American golfer, three-time conference champion, conference player of the year, and student athlete of the year. When she has free time, Pam likes to play golf and go to the beach and pool with her family. Originally from Chicago, Pam has lived year-round in Naples, Florida since 2005.

Safe Harbor Law Firm

Elder Care Planning & Consulting 4500 Executive Drive, Naples, Florida, 34119

Pam Buff Baker, Esq., owner and founder of Safe Harbor Law Firm works closely with clients to meet their legal needs. In particular, Pam works in all areas of Estate Planning, Elder Law, Probate and Trust Administration. Pam graduated magna cum laude from Tulane University, having majored in chemical engineering. Since graduating from Tulane, Pam has worked in sales, marketing, and technical support for Eka Chemicals (part of Akzo Nobel), a company division that supplies water purification and treatment systems. Later, Pam moved to Naples, Florida. Since then, Pam graduated summa cum laude from Ave Maria School of Law, where she was Associate Editor of the Law Review and a scholarship winner. During her time at Ave Maria School of Law, Pam worked in the legal department of Arthrex and interned for several local law firms. Pam is a champion golfer, having been a varsity player at Tulane, inducted into the Hall of Fame. She was an All-American golfer, three-time conference champion, conference player of the year, and student athlete of the year. When she has free time, Pam likes to play golf and go to the beach and pool with her family. Originally from Chicago, Pam has lived year-round in Naples, Florida since 2005.

Safe Harbor Law Firm

Trust Management 4500 Executive Drive, Naples, Florida, 34119

At Safe Harbor Law Firm (formally known as Buff Law Firm PLLC), we focus on estate planning, elder law, and closely related practice areas. Our true focus, however, is helping families plan for and take control of their future. This can involve:Ensuring your assets will go to the people you want, when you want, in the manner you want after you pass awayPreparing for the possibility that you or your spouse will need expensive long-term careand helping you find ways to pay for itEnsuring that people you trust have the authority to make financial and medical decisions on your behalf in the event of incapacityProtecting your assets and those of your heirs against threats such as creditors, lawsuits, divorce, the high cost of long-term care, and moreGuiding your loved ones through the probate and/or trust administration processSafe Harbor Law Firm has helped families from all walks of life find solutions to challenges like these and many more. We welcome the opportunity to do the same for you. Ultimately, our goal is to help you enjoy the peace of mind that comes from having a plan in place for the future. We invite you to contact us for a personal meeting to discuss your particular needs and goals.