Long term care at one’s home

Most people who need long term care prefer to be treated at home rather than a nursing home or any other healthcare facility. The homely atmosphere with spouse or children around is one of the main reasons for the preference for home. Family members at home usually have no problems in attending to tasks that need no skilled background. However, bathing, dressing, lifting, diapering, toileting and helping with walking can prove tough for them as they lack the proper tools or training in this area. The children of elderly patients may also find it difficult to clean messy bottoms or bathing their parents. The problems are compounded if the patient suffers from dementia or depression as well.

Keeping in mind such difficulties, professional caregivers are sometimes hired to help with jobs like lifting, walking, bathing, incontinence, toileting, dressing and supervision.
In case family members do not live close by or are busy with their jobs most of the time, they can just supervise and coordinate care and offer only limited, personal, hands-on care. A care manager can be appointed to act on their behalf.

Although home care is mostly provided in the home of the recipient or the home of a family member or friend, it may also be offered in other settings such as group homes or independent retirement communities if required. In cities where families have lived together in an apartment complex, the residents can band together and provide some assistance to each other in things like companionship, light housekeeping, shopping, medication reminders and transportation. Recently in Europe, a popular arrangement has evolved in which the elderly to share an apartment or home together and provide for each other's needs. In fact, there are some agencies that bring together interested elderly parties who are interested in such arrangements.