A live-in aide is someone who lives with an elderly or disabled person to provide 24-hour care. This can be a very necessary service for many residents and can be an affordable option.
HUD requires that a live-in aide be either elderly (62+) or near-elderly (50+), disabled, or qualified for assistance based on the Fair Housing Act’s disability definition.
Peace of Mind
Whether you are struggling with an illness or injury, recovering from surgery or living with a chronic condition, there are many benefits of live-in care. One of the most important is peace of mind.
Often, peace of mind comes from the ability to avoid stress and anxiety. Having an anxious mind can be difficult and drain your energy, leading to negative consequences in your personal and professional life.
You can achieve peace of mind by practicing yoga and meditation or simply making an effort to spend time reading. Both of these activities allow your brain to relax and help you concentrate better.
Moreover, you can practice chants or mantras that promote inner peace and calmness. It is a way to connect with your higher self, as well as with your family and friends.
Reduced Stress
Stress can be a normal part of life, but it can become chronic if you let it take over your life. It can affect your mental health and lead to a variety of physical health problems.
Most people will experience some form of stress or anxiety in their lives at one time or another. This can be due to work or family demands, financial obligations, illness, and more.
There are many different ways to reduce your stress. Some of these include exercise, mindfulness, spending time with a pet, and minimizing screen time.
Others are social support and leaning on the support of friends and family members. Whatever you choose, talking through your feelings with someone you trust can help relieve stress.
Getting out into nature, taking an hour for yourself each day to do something fun, and learning new things can also lower your stress levels. If you have a loved one in a care home, you can also make the most of your free time by finding ways to spend quality time together.
Assisted Living is Affordable
The cost of assisted living varies depending on location, but it’s usually less expensive than nursing home or in-home care. The cost of in-home care can be over $7,000 per year, compared to the average cost of $4,500 at assisted living facilities.
Assisted living communities offer a variety of services and amenities, so it’s important to shop around and compare prices before committing to a specific facility. You may also want to explore financial assistance programs or long-term care insurance to help offset the costs of moving into an assisted living community.
Most assisted living facilities charge a base rent that includes room and board, most utilities (cable and phone are extra), meals, activities, care coordination, and some housekeeping. Additional care services like medication management, toileting or bathing are generally charged as add-ons. Some communities offer bundled packages for different levels of service, while others charge a flat fee for the entire package.
A Better Quality of Life
When an elder is able to live in their own home, it improves the quality of life. This is especially true when the elder faces a life-threatening illness or condition.
Quality of life is a complex multi-dimensional concept that encompasses positive and negative features of an individual’s overall well-being. It is a dynamic condition that responds to life events, such as illness, job loss or other upheavals.
Having access to good healthcare, clean and safe housing, nutritious food and a job that pays a fair wage can all contribute to a better quality of life. Other indicators of good quality of life include loving relationships, meaningful work or volunteerism, making time for hobbies you enjoy and getting enough rest and exercise.
Quality of life isn’t fixed – it varies for every person. It’s important to take stock of how you define it and make a commitment to improving yours if necessary. Start by taking a quality of life assessment and reflecting regularly in a journal.