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Senior Care Arizona: Understanding the Benefits of At Home Care vs. Traditional Nursing Facilities

senior-care-arizona

Arizona has become one of the most tax-friendly states for retirees. With no inheritance and estate tax, a highest income tax set at 4.54% along with an average property tax set at $754 per $100,000 in home value are a few of the benefits that have attracted many newcomers. Nearly half of Arizona’s retirement-age residents moved to the state after turning 55. According to 2020 statistics, over 23% of the Arizona population is age 60 or older. In 2024, There are 5,464,768 adults, (1,243,859 of whom are seniors) in Arizona, making the senior population nearly one quarter of the population, which is only expected to increase. In 2000, 7% of the total population was comprised of those over 75 years of age with significant health needs. This figure is projected to grow to 12% by the year 2050, making senior care Arizona such a hot topic.

Choosing the right care option for you or your loved ones is an important decision. The two main options include traditional nursing homes and at-home care. A traditional nursing home is a long-term residential facility staffed with skilled nurses and aides who can provide around the clock attention to residents who require greater care than assisted living but aren’t yet in need of hospitalization. 

At-home care, on the other hand, offers the same type of care to the same demographic, but it allows patients to receive care in the comfort and familiarity of their own homes. Because a caregiver only visits a client’s residence and does not live there, the access to care is usually not 24/7—though at-home care can be provided in rotating shifts or supplement care provided by family members.

For those seeking senior care Arizona has numerous options, which need to be weighed according to the type of care needed, level of family involvement desired, level of autonomy afforded, and financial considerations.

Personalized and Adaptive Vs. Generalized and Institutional

At-home care for senior citizens is replete with benefits starting with the personalized and adaptive nature of in-home services in which care professionals provide one-on-one attention to their clients. Additionally, care plans are tailored with care hours based on clients’ schedules and individual needs. While some seniors need more attention during the early morning hours, others are better served in the evenings. Caregivers can work in concert with family members’ work schedules and availability, as well, ensuring consistent, reliable support. 

Moving a senior to a different residence with strange new surroundings and unfamiliar faces can create unwanted stress and could slow recovery, whereas in-home caregivers come to the senior. The emotional comfort of familiar surroundings is another benefit that makes at-home care an attractive option for helping seniors to reduce anxiety and maintain a sense of independence. Finally, there’s a higher potential for better health outcomes through the personalized attention received through one-on-one care. 

Traditional nursing facilities, however, take a generalized and institutional approach. The larger the facility, the more patients with various needs and concerns, who take different medications, and who are in different phases of recovery. Furthermore, the nature of the business requires fixed schedules, which limits flexibility. 

The staffing ratios in nursing facilities often result in patients receiving limited personal attention, which can negatively impact their care experience. Care aides are frequently required to attend to multiple patients and manage diverse medication schedules simultaneously. This can lead to delays in patients’ schedules, especially when unforeseen emergencies arise.

When it comes to senior care Arizona has many options for both nursing homes and home-care avenues. However, not all are created equal. 

Patient Autonomy and Family Involvement

The environment plays a crucial role in one’s health, either fostering healing or precipitating decline. In a nursing home, rigid schedules and strict regulations may induce feelings of confinement and suppression. In contrast, receiving care at home offers clients more personal autonomy and freedom. Nursing facilities often restrict autonomy and involvement of family members. Conversely, in-home care encourages direct family participation in care decisions, emphasizing the enhanced personal freedom and liberty it offers, thereby fostering healing.

Making the Best Decision

There are several factors to consider when choosing between at-home care and nursing facilities. Two primary considerations are financial and the level of care needed.

For senior care Arizona is about the same as the national average for financial considerations.

For nursing homes, the national annual median is $94,900 for a semi-private room and $108,405 for a private one. The median annual cost for 24/7 home health aid is $235,872. If your caregiver works 40 hours per week it drops to a median annual cost of $56,160. Depending on the type of care you need and the insurance you have, these costs will of course change. 

If the individual has 24-hour needs, especially the need for acute medical attention or equipment housed in facilities, then a nursing home will be a better option to get the care they need. That being said, many chronic conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, coronary heart disease (CAD), COPD, and chronic kidney disease (CKD) can be well managed at home with the help of qualified care professionals. To learn more about the level of care you can receive in-home, be sure to consult home healthcare providers. 

At the end of the day the most important factor to consider is personal preference and your unique circumstances. For some families, it’s not feasible to receive in-home care in the long term, and for others, staying in a nursing home simply won’t lead to the best health outcomes. To make the best decision, it’s important to do your research and carefully consider all of your options. 

Compassionate, In-Home Senior Care Arizona 

If you see the benefits of bringing expert caregivers into the home and you happen to be in Arizona, if you want your loved ones treated with understanding, empathy, respect, and dignity, then look no further than Brightwood Health. We are a new home health agency in Arizona that is taking a refreshing approach to senior care. 

Our core values make us who we are; they set us apart as a premier health care agency:

Be compassionate and respectful

Respond to people quickly and communicate often

Insist on honesty and always do what’s right

Get the client’s needs met first

Help others when they need it

Take commitments seriously and do what you say

Our care professionals are well-prepared to manage sensitive conversations and navigate emotional challenges. They receive specialized training in emotional intelligence and communication techniques, which equips them to provide empathetic support, actively listen, to understand the emotional needs of clients and how to best address them.

Our data-driven BrightScore system allows our care professionals to observe simple indicators during each visit and alert healthcare providers if a patient’s condition worsens. This system considers:

  • Heart Failure Management
  • Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI Recovery)
  • Pneumonia Resolution
  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Management
  • Total Hip & Knee Arthroplasty (THA/TKA) Recovery
  • Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) Recovery

If you’re looking for a senior care option that doesn’t take you out of your home, contact us today or give us a call at (480)-718-7180 to see how Brightwood Health can assist you and your family.