The importance of home care for the elderly

Home care is a choice explained by the attachment that elderly people have to their home. It is a logical choice, after all, because it allows them to keep their lifestyle habits, especially the freedom to do what they want when they want (as much as possible, depending on their level of autonomy), which is not possible, for example, in a retirement home.

Additionally, staying at home offers the advantage of remaining close to their surroundings and especially to their family.

Furthermore, it is important to note that home care can be less expensive than moving into a retirement home. In fact, maintaining an elderly person at home requires making some adjustments in the living space.

Depending on the type of adjustments to be made, the cost of arranging the space is, on average, 4,280 euros, whereas the monthly fee for a retirement home is 2,200 euros. This comparison shows a clear difference, which can be an additional motivation to choose home care.

Existing home care solutions

As mentioned earlier, in order to maintain a person at home, some adjustments may be necessary to help them with their loss of autonomy.

We can categorize them as follows:

• Technical means

Technical means have been designed specifically to allow seniors to accomplish daily tasks for which they have difficulties, due to their advanced age.

Among them, we can mention mobility equipment such as canes, walkers, electric scooters, wheelchairs, or stairlifts, those that help with hygiene like toilet risers, grab bars, walk-in tubs... There is also special equipment designed to provide them with comfort in everyday life, such as medical beds, support belts, ergonomic pillows...

It is important to note that, most of the time, seniors are resistant to changes. However, when faced with facts, they can understand, for example, that a house with multiple stories makes daily movement somewhat difficult and that a single-story apartment or house is more reassuring for family members who have less to worry about falls on the stairs. Or that their strength diminishes over time, and that their joints can no longer support heavy cast-iron pots, which therefore need to be replaced with lighter cooking utensils.

• Technological means

Many technologies have been put to use for the home care of the elderly. The most well-known is undoubtedly teleassistance, an alarm system specially designed for elderly people to alert qualified operators in case of difficulties, falls, or discomfort. This system is notably designed to trigger automatically in certain situations such as falls.

Teleassistance works with a trigger that the elderly person wears, on their wrist or as a necklace. With this and a transmitter installed at their home, the senior can alert an operator when they need help. The operator can either call a relative of the senior to come and assist them or the emergency services.

• Human means

Human support is crucial in the home care of the elderly, as it provides not only real human assistance but also prevents solitude and social isolation.

The most common human support for home care is professional home assistance. This is a person responsible for helping seniors with daily activities for which they face difficulties: feeding, bathing, mobility... Called a life assistant, this person has training and qualifications to best assist the elderly.

It is also possible to hire a housekeeper responsible for all maintenance tasks in the senior's home: cleaning, washing dishes, laundry, ironing, and sometimes even cooking. Some aids, like a companion, although they do not medically assist the elderly person, can be considered as a human means of home care. Indeed, they are responsible for breaking the senior's loneliness by keeping them company, talking to them...

Home care assistance

Assistance measures have been set up by the State to allow elderly people to stay at home and live as comfortably as possible.

• Tax assistance for home care

It consists of a 50% tax credit benefiting elderly people who use the services of a home aid. Practically, it will be valid if the latter is assisted by a life assistant or a housekeeper.

• Housing assistance

The housing aids in question here come from the national housing adaptation agency (ANAH), and are intended to give seniors the possibility to adapt their housing to their situation. The agency then provides a 25% tax credit for these adaptation works. The amount allocated is capped at 5,000 euros for people living alone and 10,000 euros for couples.

It also grants assistance for adaptation works such as installing a stairlift, installing automated shutters... Their amount ranges from 7,000 to 10,000 euros.

• Assistance for seniors with loss of autonomy

There are many aids for seniors with loss of autonomy. Among them, we can mention the Personalized Autonomy Allowance (APA) provided by the Departmental Council to cover various expenses: provision of hygiene or food products, home assistance...

Social Security also offers the solidarity allowance for the elderly (ASPA) to help seniors with low resources.

Finally, pension funds and mutual insurance provide assistance similar to APA for seniors whose loss of autonomy is not considered severe.

Inquiring about mutual insurance offers

As a carer, it is important to be informed about all the aids and offers that exist, as it is true that medical appointments can sometimes be costly. Knowing about mutual insurance offers allows ensuring a follow-up of care as calmly as possible.

A mutual insurance, or complementary health, supplements basic guarantees. It partially or fully covers acts not reimbursed by Health Insurance and those that are very weakly covered, to ensure more optimal coverage.

The psychological benefits of home care

Maintaining the elderly at home is not limited to the physical aspects of daily life. Psychological benefits are just as important. By staying at home, seniors can retain a sense of control over their lives, which is crucial for their mental well-being.

• Preservation of identity: Staying in a familiar environment helps elderly people maintain their identity and memories.
• Reduction of anxiety: A change in environment, such as moving into a nursing home, can cause stress and anxiety. Home is often associated with positive memories.
• Social interactions: Being surrounded by family and friends fosters social interactions, essential for combating loneliness and depression.

Outdoor arrangements for secure home care

Besides interior adjustments, it is also essential to think about the exterior of the house to ensure the safety of the elderly. Here are some recommendations:

• Secured access: Install ramps and non-slip pathways to facilitate movement.
• Proper lighting: Ensure good lighting around the house to avoid falls at night.
• Green spaces: Designing an accessible garden can provide a relaxing space and encourage exercise, beneficial for both mental and physical health.

Innovations in home automation for seniors

Technology is evolving rapidly and now offers innovative solutions for the home care of the elderly. Home automation can play a key role in empowering seniors.

• Alert systems: Motion sensors can alert relatives in case of unusual activity.
• Remote control: Household appliances can be controlled remotely, allowing seniors to easily manage their environment.
• Voice assistants: These devices can help seniors remember their medications, make calls, or schedule appointments.

Community resources for the elderly

It is also essential to know about the community resources available to support the home care of the elderly. These resources can offer valuable assistance.

• Senior activity centers: These centers offer social activities, courses, and events to keep seniors active and engaged.
• Transport services: Adapted transport services can help seniors get to medical appointments or social activities.
• Support groups: Joining support groups can provide a space to share experiences and receive advice.