Innocent Onwubiko is the owner of Successful Aging, a home health company providing quality care services for seniors in Pennsylvania. Successful Aging provides not only care for seniors, but those with disabilities, those with short-term skilled service needs or long-term, round-the-clock care. In the following article, Innocent Onwubiko discusses the lesser known ways home health care can help seniors, providing a better quality of life for those in need.
Staying active as we age is incredibly important, and that’s why 55+ communities in VA have so much appeal. Eventually though, there may come a time where in-home care is needed and the following addresses that notion.
Although the elderly are in greater need of quality healthcare, they often face the steepest challenges in accessing it. Between the cost of regular checkups, medications, and tests, as well as the hassle of getting to a doctor’s office, many senior citizens fail to maintain their health as they age. Fortunately, a shift toward home healthcare is helping seniors access quality care at a margin of the cost.
Thanks to home healthcare, Innocent Onwubiko of Successful Aging says the elderly are able to receive personalized care from a team of professionals while staying in their homes for a longer period of time. This allows them to go on with daily living while simultaneously receiving treatments and therapies on their own time. Innocent Onwubiko of Successful Aging explores some of these benefits and discuss how seniors benefit from a rapidly growing home healthcare industry.
Lower Risk of Hospitalization
One of the most significant advantages of home healthcare is that it helps to lower seniors’ risk of hospitalization. According to the National Institute on Aging, 35 percent of seniors who receive home healthcare avoid hospitalization, and those who are hospitalized stay for shorter periods of time. This is due to the fact that home healthcare allows for better management of chronic conditions and more immediate attention to minor concerns says Innocent Onwubiko of Successful Aging.
This is further compounded by an overall improvement in senior citizens’ quality of life after enrolling in home healthcare programs. Thanks to added social engagement and the ease of access to care within the comfort of their own homes, Innocent Onwubiko of Successful Aging says that seniors can continue to live independently without being forced into long-term care facilities.
Reduced Healthcare Costs
There’s no denying that healthcare can financially cripple the elderly, especially as they develop chronic conditions. In fact, chronic diseases account for approximately 86 percent of the money spent on healthcare in the U.S. While traditional forms of healthcare are becoming increasingly unaffordable, home healthcare provides a much more cost-effective solution for seniors.
In addition to reducing the number of hospitalizations, Innocent Onwubiko of Successful Aging says that home healthcare also cuts down on the number of doctor’s visits, tests, and overall costs associated with traditional forms of care. A study conducted by the Commonwealth Fund found that home healthcare services cost an average of $1,000 less per person than care received in a hospital or skilled nursing facility.
If we consider that the average 65-year-old spends $11,300 annually on healthcare costs, it’s easy to see how home healthcare can make a significant difference. Over the remainder of a senior citizen’s life, they could save tens of thousands of dollars or more, even if they never develop a chronic disease.
Home Healthcare Keeps Senior Citizens Safe
Innocent Onwubiko of Successful Aging says that one of the most important, but often underrated, benefits of home healthcare is that it keeps seniors safe in their homes. This is achieved in a few different ways. First, home healthcare provides a level of supervision that can prevent accidents and injuries. For example, if a senior citizen is enrolled in a physical therapy program, a professional will be there to ensure that they are completing their exercises safely.
They will also be able to provide assistance if needed and ensure that the home is free of trip hazards. In addition to preventing accidents, home healthcare can also help to identify when something is wrong. This might include spotting the early signs of a disease or condition, noticing changes in mood or behavior, or observing when medication needs to be adjusted.
By catching problems early on, Innocent Onwubiko of Successful Aging says that home healthcare can help to prevent them from becoming more serious. This not only keeps seniors safe, but it can also help to save on healthcare costs down the road.
A Better Quality of Life for Seniors
In addition to the physical benefits of home healthcare, there are also psychological benefits that should not be overlooked. Innocent Onwubiko of Successful Aging says that home healthcare can help to improve seniors’ quality of life. This is achieved in a number of ways, including reducing social isolation, providing companionship, and increasing access to activities.
For example, many home healthcare agencies offer transportation services that can help seniors get out of the house and participate in activities that they enjoy. In addition, home healthcare professionals can provide much-needed companionship. This can be especially beneficial for seniors who live alone or who have a limited social network.
The Takeaway
Although all senior citizens will inevitably require some level of healthcare, Innocent Onwubiko of Successful Aging explains that home healthcare is helping to make it more affordable and accessible. In addition to reducing the risk of hospitalization and the costs associated with traditional forms of care, home healthcare can also improve seniors’ quality of life. As the industry continues to grow, it’s likely that even more seniors will be able to take advantage of these benefits.
