What is home help and how does it work?
The concept of “home support” refers to care services provided in the person’s home, i.e. where they live, albeit with the intervention of caregivers, assistants or professionals trained to meet the needs of those with a lower degree of autonomy.
At Hands Care, this type of support includes a personalized care plan, flexible or continuous hours, constant communication with the family and maintaining the client’s usual routine.
It all works as follows: first, an initial home assessment is carried out to ascertain the level of autonomy and the needs for hygiene, mobility, food, company and/or travel.
An intervention plan is then defined, either for one-off situations (e.g. after surgery) or for regular support. Hands Care supports adults with loss of autonomy (temporary or permanent) and not just the elderly.
Because the service is provided at home, the senior maintains contact with their environment, family and routines, promoting active ageing within the home context.
What characterizes a nursing home?
In contrast, the concept of “nursing home” (or “residence for the elderly”) refers to a residential institution in which the elderly are housed, receiving care in a collective space.
In Portugal, these structures can offer permanent or temporary accommodation, food, activities, health care and social interaction.
In a nursing home, the senior moves out of their own home and into a space dedicated to care with specialized staff, an institutionalized routine and, normally, the possibility of 24-hour support, especially in cases of greater dependency or ongoing medical need.
Choosing an institution involves assessing factors such as the level of autonomy, the degree of dependence, the desire to socialize with other residents and the convenience for the family in terms of visits.
Advantages and limitations of each option
Home support
Advantages
- Staying at home, which helps preserve identity, memories and family comfort;
- Flexibility in the scope and timetable of the service (one-off or ongoing support);
- A more personalized relationship, with support adapted to the senior’s routines;
- Potential to maintain greater autonomy and promote active ageing, keeping the person in their own space.
Limitations
- If the degree of dependency is very high (e.g. if there is a need for specialized medical care 24 hours a day or intensive supervision), there may be limitations on what can be provided at home;
- There is a need to adapt the home environment, taking into account factors such as mobility, safety, space and equipment;
- The family or the service will have to ensure some coordination and supervision, although Hands Care will provide all the necessary support.
Nursing home
Advantages
- A dedicated structure, with people and spaces adapted to continuous care and social interaction;
- In many cases, access to medical/nursing services, entertainment activities, communal meals or living with other residents can enhance active ageing;
- It could provide simpler management in terms of physical security, supervision and accessibility.
Limitations
- The senior loses access to their usual home environment, which can lead to emotional discomfort or a feeling of “being left without a home”;
- There may be less flexibility in routines, schedules or personalization of care;
- High costs, long waiting lists and the need to move immediately can be stressful for the elderly person and their family.
How to decide between home care and institutionalization
When deciding between care at home(home support services) and institutionalization (nursing home), there are several dimensions that must be considered in a balanced way:
- Needs assessment: How autonomous is the person? Does he/she need light or exhaustive support? Do they have mobility problems , dementia and/or total dependency?
- Preferences of the elderly person: it is essential to listen to the senior (whenever possible) regarding their preferences, such as their comfort environment, their desire to maintain contact with their family or the preservation of the routine to which they are accustomed;
- Home vs. institutional environment: is the house adapted and safe enough or does the home have better resources?
- Budget and services included: what are the costs associated with each alternative? Are there co-payments? What services are included?
- Active ageing objective: if the objective is for the elderly person to maintain as much autonomy as possible, social interaction and cognitive and physical stimulation, you should check which of the options meets the requirements in the most natural way;
- Visits and family involvement: which of the alternatives favors family presence, regular visits and the continuity of personal relationships?
In practice, if the senior still has a substantial degree of autonomy, the home environment is safe and the support provided is qualified, home care services are more suitable.
On the other hand, if there is a need for intensive care, 24-hour supervision or if the home environment is difficult to adapt to, a nursing home may be the safest solution.
Costs and services included in each alternative
When it comes to costs, both home care services and nursing homes vary greatly depending on certain factors such as location, intensity of care, services included, infrastructure or the type of institution or company.
- When it comes to home support, companies like Hands Care offer a free assessment visit and then provide a quote and define a personalized care plan;
- In the case of nursing homes, the costs can vary from affordable single beds in public homes to large monthly fees in luxury senior residences.
Services typically include food, hygiene, mobility, companionship, activities, medication, housekeeping (in the case of home care) and the guarantee of medical/paramedic care (in the home).
In home support, personalization makes it possible to define exactly what services are needed for issues such as hygiene, accompaniment to appointments, shopping, meals, companionship or domestic care.
The cost comparison should take into account not only the price itself, but also everything that is included. A lower monthly nursing home fee may not include all the services the senior needs, just as home care becomes much more expensive if a lot of specialized care is provided.
In this sense, and in order to weigh up the costs in a fully informed way, ask for detailed quotes, check which services are guaranteed, what the extras are, whether there are additional fees for medical or nursing care and consider asking for support from Social Security or supplementary insurance.
Home support: the ideal choice for maintaining autonomy
For those looking for an option that favors proximity, a familiar environment, the maintenance of routines and the promotion of autonomy and family life, home support stands out as a very relevant choice.
At Hands Care, this commitment is clear: to provide care in the comfort of home through the definition of a personalized plan, selected caregivers, regular communication with the family and flexible schedules.
To finish
Choose between support home e a home of This requires an in-depth understanding of the senior’s needs, their desire to maintain autonomy, the family and home environment, the costs involved and the services included.
While a home can offer a more complete structure in a situation of high dependency, home support allows the person to remain in their own space, with personalized assistance, living with family members, maintaining routines and promoting active ageing.
At Hands Care, we believe that everyone deserves to live with dignity, comfort and respect where they feel at home. If you’re looking for a solution that prioritizes autonomy, personalization and quality supervision, home care may be the right option for you. Schedule a free assessment with us and, together, we’ll find the plan that best suits you.
