With the rising life expectancy and rapid aging population in Singapore, choosing the right care option to look after elderly loved ones is crucial. Choosing a domestic helper with experience in elderly care or a nursing home? Both have their unique advantages and understanding these options help families make a better decision. Most often than not, families make decisions greatly based on the needs of the elderly. For example, if your loved one is unable to walk and has a high support needs, a nursing home might be a better option. On the other hand, if your loved one is still active and rather independent, a domestic helper/caregiver may be a wise choice. In addition, a maid can also assist with household chores as well as a companion caregiver.
Taking care of elderly parents can be very challenging especially if you and your spouse are both holding full-time jobs. Daily housework like cleaning, cooking and meal preparation can be a tedious task for the elderly if they are being left alone in the house during the day. This is where you need to make a decision if to hire a maid or place elderly in a nursing home. Making a choice is not so easy as each option has its pros and cons.
Choosing the right support for your elderly loved ones will give you peace of mind and mental stability to focus on other aspects of your life. In this article, we will discuss the pros and cons of hiring a maid vs nursing home, this aims to provide clarity between the two professions, empowering you to make the best decision for your specific needs.
Pros And Cons Of Nursing Home
What is a nursing home?
A nursing home is a facility for elderly who don’t need to be in a hospital but on the other hand, can be challenging to care for at home. Nursing homes come equipped with nursing aids and skilled nurses 24 hours a day. The staff provides medical care, medical assistance and professional therapy for the elderly living there.
Who is a nursing home for?
The purpose of a nursing home is to provide care and support for elderly with specific medical conditions and disabilities.
Nursing homes are for people with medical needs, such as:
- Severe physical disabilities
- Severe learning disabilities
- Complex conditions
- Sensory impairment
- Dementia
- Cancer
- Terminal illnesses
Advantages of Living In A Nursing Home
A nursing facility often comes into consideration when the needs of the elderly exceeds what the family can provide on their own. Specifically, nursing homes provide the following benefits:
- 24 Hour Professional Supervision: With medical professionals on duty around the clock, elderly at nursing homes can access medical care when they need it.
- Specialized Services: Nursing homes are able to administer more extensive care for various medical conditions. Some facilities even have medical/grade equipment.
- Structured Environment: Routine activities encourage residents to stay physically and cognitively active.
- Community Time: Living with others enables the elderly to be more sociable.
- Peace of Mind: Families have peace of mind knowing that their elderly loved ones are well taken care of.
Disadvantages Of Living In A Nursing Home
Opting for a nursing home also requires you to meet certain criteria and make trade-offs, including:
- Loss Of Independence: Following schedules and regulations set by the facility may make elderly feel that they have lost their freedom. Some elderly might find it hard to adjust to new routines and restrictions.
- Separation Anxiety: Elderly in nursing homes typically see less of their family members.
- High Cost: Nursing homes in Singapore cost from $2000-$3000 per month.
- Admission Requirements: Admission priority goes to seniors with complex nursing care needs or a severe disability who are unable to be cared for at home.
- Waiting Time: In Singapore, there is usually a waitlist of 1-2 months depending on the nursing home you choose.
- Specific Restrictions: Elderly with pets might not find nursing homes suitable for them as most facilities do not allow pets.
Pros And Cons Of Hiring A Maid For In-Home Care
Being able to take care of an elderly loved one at home offers several important benefits.
Advantages Of A Maid For Elderly Care
- Familial Surroundings: There is no place like home. In-home care provides the comfort and familiarity that no other place can offer.
- Sense Of Belonging: Staying at home provides a sense of independence and control over one’s daily routines. This sense of security is very important for elderly.
- Personalized Care: Elderly can get 1 to 1 care to their specific needs and preferences in the comfort of their home. Personal relationships can be formed with a maid/caregiver as a maid/caregiver also provides companionship for elderly.
- Family Involvement: Family members can actively participate in caring for their loved ones. Being in the care and company of family members is assuring and can be of emotional significance to the seniors. This could help to boost their overall well-being.
- Lower Costs: Having a maid is a lot cheaper in the long run as compared to nursing homes. Maids provide personal care, prepare nutritious meals and do general household chores. The total cost often works out to be lower than a nursing home.
Disadvantages of In-Home Care
There are some limitations to in-home care. Below are some points you need to consider when hiring a maid for in-home care:
- Medical Support: The home environment is often not suitable for complex health conditions. The quality of medical care may be compromised for elderly who are battling severe illnesses.
- Home Safety Modifications: It is estimated that 1 in 3 elderly aged 65 and above experiences at least one fall within a year. Elderly individuals can face various mobility challenges and safety hazards in their own home if it is not well retrofitted.
- Social Isolation: Elderly staying at home may miss out on social interactions.
- Care Disruption: Care can be disrupted when a maid is not available, for instance when the maid goes on leave.
- Accommodation: Employers will need to provide a room for their maid. It can be a problem if space is constrained.
Conclusion
The choice between hiring a full-time maid or a nursing home comes down to individual unique needs and lifestyle. Consider your daily routine, the level of care and assistance required and last but not least, your budget. With a clear understanding of the pros and cons, you’re now better equipped to make an informed decision.
Hire A Maid is a trusted maid agency in Singapore specialized in both Myanmar maids and Indonesian maids. Our agents are ready to answer your questions and provide advice to best suit your family needs and dynamics. Our domestic helpers are skilled and trained to provide you the best care for your elderly loved ones, many of them are certified elderly caregivers.
Ready to find the perfect fit for your household? Give us a call today, our dedicated team will be happy to help.