In-Home Care Offers Cost-Effective Option for Aging in Place in Calgary

Home Care Blog>In Home Care  |  April 13, 2022

In-Home Care Offers Cost-Effective Option for Aging in Place

In-Home Care Offers Cost-Effective Option for Aging in Place in Calgary | Most families today are unaware the wealth of options available when considering care for senior loved ones. When seniors begin to demonstrate difficulty with certain daily tasks, families may automatically believe that it is time for assisted living or a nursing home. However, they may not realize exactly what that entails or that these are not necessarily the best options for every senior. Today, the senior care industry and new technologies make it possible for older adults to continue to live in their own homes safely and with assistance.

Fast Facts

In 2009, the average out-of-pocket monthly cost for a senior to age in his or her own home was $928 versus $3500 for that same senior to live in an institutional setting.

Why is it important to have cost-effective in-home care options to age in place?

A Statistics Canada study showed that 92% of all Canadians over 65 are living at home.The reasons are understandable; aging in place has many benefits. Seniors who remain in their own homes as they age enjoy the consistency of belonging to communities where they may have lived for many years surrounded by friends and families. This offers both emotional and social benefits as they have an already established support network. Overall, quality of life is better when seniors are as independent as possible and can participate in their communities in a meaningful way. Remaining in the home also avoids the stress of relocation and acclimating to new environments, and, even more compelling: aging in place can be cost effective.

Since many seniors own their homes outright, they may not have mortgage expenses. Even if they are paying a mortgage, the expense may be cheaper than the fees for assisted living. On average, the monthly cost of an assisted living facility in 2014 was $3500. This cost increases when you add additional services, such as cleaning, laundry and personal care which are often sold a la carte. Long-term care homes (or nursing homes) vary in cost depending on the provider whether public, private, not-for-profit or religious-based organizations. Provinces will share the cost with you at the facilities they support. For example; in Ontario, basic accommodations are $1,708 a month, semi-private rooms are $2,012 and private rooms are $2,362.

Related Article: In-Home Care Can Help Reduce Re-Admission

What’s more, many seniors who are placed in assisted living or nursing homes, could age in their own homes with a few home modifications and assistance with activities of daily living. Many families who are considering care for their loved ones do not realize that assistance with daily living activities is not automatically provided when the senior moves into assisted living. These are generally add-on services. In this respect, aging in the home can also be more cost effective than receiving this same assistance in an institutional setting. On average, in 2009, out-of-pocket monthly costs for seniors to obtain assistance with daily activities in their own homes was $554 versus $1065 in an institution.

Comfort Keepers Helps Seniors Age in Place

For seniors who wish to remain in their own homes and continue to be part of their communities, there are many options. In-home care can be a viable, cost-effective solution for those who may need some assistance to help keep them independent participants in their communities. As the seniors’ needs change, the care provided in the home can adapt to those changes to provide more care and services to help keep them safe and healthy in their own homes. For more information on how in-home care can help your loved one and adapt to his or her changing needs, contact your local Comfort Keepers^® Calgary today.

Bonus Article: How to Support Family Caregivers

References

Canadian Association of Retired Persons. (February 7, 2014).  Majority of Seniors Living at Home, StatsCan Study Reveals – CARP.

Crary, D. (November 21, 2011). Aging in place: A little help can go a long way. USA Today. Retrieved from http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/health/story/health/story/2011-11-21/Aging-in-place-a-little-help-can-go-a-long-way/51330714/1.

Leong, Melissa.  (May 24, 2014).  The Unexpected costs of caring for your parents.  National Post. Retrieved from: http://business.financialpost.com/personal-finance/retirement/parenting-your-parents-the-cost-of-caring-for-your-elderly-loved-ones

 Genworth Financial. (2014). Genworth 2014 cost of care survey. Retrieved from https://www.genworth.com/dam/Americas/US/PDFs/Consumer/corporate/130568_032514_CostofCare_FINAL_nonsecure.pdf.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. (Fall 2013). Measuring the costs and savings of aging in place. Retrieved from http://www.huduser.org/portal/periodicals/em/fall13/highlight2.html.

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