When it comes to choosing the right option for the life care of the seniors of our family, we can only zone down on the very best. Thus, making a choice can often get tiresome, confusing, and haphazard. However, a proper understanding of our options can help us understand the situational needs better and allow us to make the right decision. Now, choosing a lifecare option for our loved ones presents us with two pathways—transition care and home health care.
While both options weigh their pros and cons, knowing them in depth allows us to make a suitable judgment call. In addition, having an in-depth idea of both these alternatives gives us the opportunity to understand the needs of our elderly family members and then see what the right fit for them would be.
While transition care homes often take precedence in life care decisions, home health care facilities are no underdogs either. Both alternatives present a strong suit of pros that individuals can analyze to make a strong, unwavering decision. Let us break down the essence of these options and check which would be the right fit for whom, how to make that decision, and what you can do to make the decision process more manageable. Read further to know the difference between transition care and home health care services:
Transition Care vs Home Health Care: What’s Better?
Both transition care and home health care facilities share the same goal of providing the utmost care, comfort, and joy to their patients. Whether they are taking care of their medical needs or providing physical and mental comfort, both these alternatives share the common objective of presenting the best possible care. However, it would be unfair to say that they are completely similar in essence.
As the name suggests, transition care facilities provide a smooth transition for patients from one setting to another. These transitions usually take place from the home to a comprehensive unit of care, such as a nursing home. Transition care homes comprise a group of professionally trained medical professionals who are proficient at handling medical emergencies at the drop of a hat and ready to provide round-the-clock medical monitoring. The different types of transition care services include rehabilitation facilities, acute care transition programs, nursing homes, and even end-of-life care centers.
When it comes to home health care services, we can say that their facilities extend the comfort of the home. Here, caregivers will provide their services within the familiar setting of the home, and families can even monitor their members’ progress. In addition, home health care settings provide a heightened sense of independence for the patients, increasing overall wellness. Home health care professionals are adept at extending physical support besides emotional companionship and medical assistance. In addition, services like counseling and physiotherapy fall under home health care services.
Now, the real question comes as to who should choose transition care and who should opt for home health care services. Individuals who require around-the-clock care after major surgeries or need complete rehabilitation assistance should rely on transition care homes, as these services provide an extensive network of care that goes above and beyond the usual care we expect. Contrastingly, individuals who want to maintain their autonomy and independence and still have a companion for assistance in daily activities should choose home health care services.
Before making a concrete decision, let us understand the pros and cons of transition care and home health care services:
Benefits and Disadvantages of Transition Care and Home Health Care Services
Let us first dive into the benefits and drawbacks of transition care homes and then delve into the pros and cons of home health care facilities:
Benefits of Transition Care Services
- Transition homes are ideal for individuals looking to avoid repetitive hospitalization and treatment. They reduce the risk of rehospitalization and provide a strong system of nurturing and care.
- Transition care homes provide 24/7 monitoring and medical supervision.
- Transition care focuses heavily on the recovery process, wherein the process of rehabilitation is prioritized.
Disadvantages of Transition Care Services
- Transition care homes can be more costly than home health care services. In addition, some transition care services may not be covered by medical insurance.
- Transition homes are often not meant for long-term rehabilitation, and these concerns have less chance of being addressed.
- Families have limited interaction with not only their family members admitted to a transition care home but may also experience a disconnect with the caregivers administering care to their senior loved ones.
Pros of Home Health Care Services
- As the name suggests, home health care takes place in the comfort of the home, and patients recover well in a familiar environment. Moreover, home health care services, such as AgeWellCare, are significantly more cost-effective.
- Personalized care is the primary motto of home health care services, and patients receive only the best treatment. In addition, tailored services address the specific needs of patients and illuminate individualistic needs and requirements.
- Caregivers welcome family involvement and promote happy, healthy, safe familial relationships. They do this by educating family members and allowing them to stay involved in the caregiving process.
Cons of Home Health Care Services
- When caregivers are not available, caregiving duties can often become the responsibility of immediate family members, which can cause physical and emotional stress for them.
- Individuals under home health care services often find the rehabilitation process much more taxing than when compared to the rehabilitation process of individuals under transition care facilities.
- The unavailability of 24/7 supervision has a negative impact on the condition of unstable patients. These complex cases often find this inconsistency a difficult change to accept.
In the end, there are no set guidelines or hard and fast rules that you must follow while deciding on the best for your loved one. However, one should make an informed choice only after knowing the details of their options. So, before making a decision, one can skim through the pointers mentioned above. In addition, it is best to consult the respective services before choosing them, understand their services, and then decide according to your family member’s needs.