It is true that most seniors would rather live at home. The reason for this is mostly because it allows them the freedom and independence to which they are familiar..

For seniors who are progressively losing their sight and/or might be suffering from dementia such as Alzheimer’s staying at home also has the added advantage of keeping them within familiar surroundings.

Many families choose to hire in-home care for their beloved seniors.

The advantages of non-medical home care are numerous:

• The loved one gets personalized care
• The senior gets a friendship
• The senior gets help with their household chores
• Personal hygiene get attended to
• They have medication reminders and attention to dietary restrictions
• The senior can assist with preparing meals or have the home care worker prepare the meals
• They get to stay at their home which is a family environment
• They maintain their independence
• They are cared for by a qualified professional .

The Cost of Home Care

The cost of professional home care will very much depend on the number of hours the home care worker spends with the senior. It really depends on the services needed  to ensure that the senior lives a dignified life as they walk into their golden years.

As you would expect, every province has its own median cost of care and charges associated with home care. In Nova Scotia the median monthly rate for non medical home care across the province stands at around $31 an hour, based on the survey. There are some private home care agencies that are more expensive than the average while there are agencies that charge below the median hourly rate.