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Health Care at home

Health Care at home for older adults

Older adults often face a mounting number of healthcare challenges as they age, and time spent in hospital can be a worrying prospect. Thankfully, healthcare can also be carried out at home, providing a preferred alternative for many older people, and offering a new way for healthcare professionals to respond to the growing needs of the ageing population. Without disrupting their lives, healthcare professionals can provide hospital-level care to older adults  in the comfort of their own home. Here, we are looking at the common health challenges that arise as people age, what health care at home looks like, the benefits of ‘ageing in place’, the rise of ‘virtual wards’, how home care can support older adults, what to consider when choosing a home care provider to support you, and tips on coping with health changes as you age. At Home Instead, our aim is to help people age positively and in place by bringing expert care to their home. For nearly 20 years, we have been providing the highest standard of care, and creating industry-leading training programmes for our Care Professionals that are accredited by nursing and medical professionals. Today, we are the world’s largest global domiciliary care network, supporting over 100,000 older adults with personalised, tailored care at home. So whatever questions you have about home care, we can help. 

What are some common health challenges for older adults?

Older people tend to have more health issues than younger age groups due to the natural physiological decline that comes with ageing. According to research from the National Council On Aging, almost 95% of adults aged 60+ live with at least one chronic health condition, and almost 80% have two or more conditions.The common health challenges older adults face vary depending on factors such as where they live, their lifestyle and their genetic predispositions, but some of the most prevalent conditions include:

  • High Blood Pressure – As people age, the risk of high blood pressure increases, which can lead to heart disease, stroke and other complications if not treated. In the UK around 1 in 3 adults have high blood pressure, and in those aged 65 or over, this figure rises to at least 1 in 2.
  • Arthritis – Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis in older adults, however other forms can also cause symptoms like joint pain, stiffness and reduced mobility.
  • Diabetes – Type 2 diabetes is more common in older adults and can lead to various complications such as heart disease, kidney disease and nerve damage if not properly managed.
  • Osteoporosis – As people age their bone density decreases, which can lead to osteoporosis. This causes a higher risk of fractures and, as a result, reduced mobility. 
  • Dementia conditions – Cognitive decline is a concern in older adults, and dementia conditions (such as Alzheimer’s disease) become more common as people age. You can read more in our guide to the different types of dementia.
  • Vision and Hearing Loss – Age-related vision and hearing problems are prevalent in older adults, and can cause significant alterations to the life and routine of an older person. They can also cause the risk of falls and other accidents to rise. 
  • Depression and Anxiety – Mental health conditions are common in older adults due to significant life changes such as retirement, loss of loved ones, and increasing health issues. Around 16% of older adults seek treatment for depression, but more may be living with this and not seeking treatment. 

These are just a few examples of common health issues faced by older adults, but individual experiences can vary widely. It is essential for older people to maintain regular check-ups with healthcare providers to effectively manage these conditions.

health care at home

What is ‘healthcare at home’?

Healthcare at home in the UK refers to medical services provided to individuals in the comfort of their own house, or the home of a loved one if they are staying elsewhere. This approach aims to deliver a wide range of services – including nursing care, medication management, wound care, physiotherapy, palliative care and more – without the person needing to attend hospital or another facility to manage ongoing health conditions. Healthcare at home offers a more convenient and personalised alternative to traditional hospital treatment or clinic-based care, and is particularly beneficial for older people who usually require more care than younger age groups. Those with chronic conditions will find this to be the most useful. Not only can healthcare at home enhance a person’s comfort and independence, it also has wider positive impacts on hospitals and NHS facilities that are already under increasing strain, with hospital at home initiatives helping to reduce emergency bed use and improve flow within the healthcare system. This is significant, as the World Health Organization suggests between 2015 and 2050 the global population of people aged 60+ is expected to rise from 12% to 22%.Healthcare at home services could include things like:

How can healthcare at home help older adults?

Healthcare at home involves bringing medical and nursing staff into the home, as well as appropriately trained carers, and this can have a number of benefits for older adults. Many older people prefer not to continuously visit a hospital for care, so bringing care to their own home instead can enhance their overall wellbeing and quality of life by promoting a sense of security and independence. Mental health outcomes can be improved by avoiding frequent hospital visits, as research shows these visits can increase feelings of depression and anxiety. Older adults can continue to enjoy activities they love, see family and friends any time, and be around their own belongings rather than spending long periods of time in a hospital or care facility. Healthcare at home may also provide more personalised medical care and enable those with mobility issues to access treatment without the upheaval of being transferred to and from hospital. There is also the benefit of a reduced risk of infection and complications associated with hospital visits, which is significant for older adults with weakened immune systems. In addition, by having doctors, nursing staff or carers visit the person’s home, they are able to view the home environment and the person’s routine, make recommendations for home adaptations or lifestyle modifications to improve safety and health, and recognise if current caregivers are suffering from carer’s burnout and may require respite care to be put in place. For those in need of end-of-life care, healthcare at home could be the ideal option as many people going through this would prefer to die with dignity at home – research suggests around 71% of people with a terminal diagnosis prefer to receive care at home rather than in a hospice. 

health care at home

What are the benefits of ‘ageing in place’?

The term ‘ageing in place’ refers to adults growing older and remaining in their own homes instead of being transferred to a care home, nursing home or another facility to manage their health conditions. The World Health Organization recommends older individuals be cared for in their own homes for as long as possible to maintain a strong sense of wellbeing, and this can involve a home help organisation to reduce pressure on family caregivers.Ageing in place will not be the best option for every older adult, but for many it could provide additional benefits. For those who do not require major healthcare procedures or treatments, this can be an ideal option, and is often the preferred choice due to a natural desire to stay in familiar and comfortable surroundings. When an older adult has a sudden health scare, a typical knee-jerk reaction is to decide on a move to a care home or nursing home, however taking time to evaluate what the best option might be for the person can have more long-term benefits. For example, ageing in place enables older adults to stay in the comfort and familiarity of their own homes, which can promote emotional wellbeing and independence. This continuity of environment fosters a sense of security; research done on hospital care at home found patient satisfaction was higher than in those admitted to hospital for care, and one study found patients who received home care experienced the same positive health outcomes six months later as those who had been admitted to hospital.This care model is especially helpful for those with dementia, as ageing in place allows them to remain in familiar surroundings so they are less likely to become confused, anxious or lost. One study found those with dementia living at home experienced higher activity levels, quality of life, and felt more socially connected than those living in a care home. Staying in their own homes can also help older adults to feel less isolated and lonely, as they can continue to stay involved in their community and receive visits from family and friends. With the appropriate support services in place, such as healthcare at home and home adaptations for safety, older adults can enjoy a higher quality of life while continuing to age in their preferred environment.

How can home care support older adults?

Home care can provide invaluable support for older adults who are choosing to age in place. While healthcare professionals can visit the person’s home to administer any treatments or medications necessary, home carers can assist with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing and meal preparation to ensure older adults remain comfortable and safe at home, have someone to talk to for emotional support, and can adhere to the routines and medication schedules doctors have recommended. ‘Virtual wards’ are another recent addition to the hospital at home model, whereby older adults can have their health remotely monitored in their house using advanced digital technology. This means timely interventions can be made if a patient’s condition changes, which can ultimately prevent hospital admissions. While this method works remotely, home carers play a vital role in this care model by providing on-site support and monitoring to ensure all equipment is being used correctly and continues to work efficiently. Carers can also assist with medication management, vital sign monitoring, daily living activities and more, as well as providing much-needed companionship – this is crucial when older adults are living alone and receiving remote monitoring, as they may go long periods of time without speaking to another person. By integrating home carers and virtual wards, older adults can benefit from highly personalised and timely medical attention, reduced hospital visits and improved overall health outcomes, empowering them to age in place.

health care at home

What should older adults consider when choosing a home care provider?

When selecting a home care provider, older adults must consider several important factors such as whether or not they will hire an individual carer, use an introductory agency to find a carer, or use a managed live-in care provider. 

In any case, it is important to research the home carer or agency’s reputation, their credentials, the costs, the range of services offered, and more. Ultimately, you must find out whether or not the carer has the training and experience to help with the specific health conditions you need to manage. You may also want to check if it is possible to do a trial run of the services you need, as this can help you both decide whether or not the arrangement could be a good fit. 

You may find more information on this in our other guides: How To Choose & Arrange Home Care Services, and Introductory Agencies vs Managed Live-in Care Providers.

Remember, you can try more than one carer or care agency before deciding which is right for you, so do not be afraid to move on to the next option if you do not feel you have found the ideal fit yet.  

How can older adults cope with health changes?

Ageing brings with it a number of changes, both physiologically and mentally, and learning to manage and effectively cope with these health changes can be a challenge for older adults. Maintaining open communication with healthcare providers is key in order to let them know about changes and symptoms that signal potential health problems. You should seek regular health check-ups to be proactive about your health management. 

Also, as much as is possible for you, try to engage in regular physical activity, eat a balanced, nutritious diet, and get sufficient rest in order to maintain your wellbeing and promote resilience. In addition, it can help to join support groups for any health conditions you have, and regularly seek companionship and emotional support from friends, family or a hired carer to maintain your mental health. 

As you age, your body and mind will inevitably begin to change, however this does not always result in a reduced quality of life. Remaining flexible and adaptable in your routines is crucial, and understanding the best ways to not only manage any advancing health conditions, but maintain the best quality of life possible while living with them in order to make the most of your older years and maintain a positive attitude. 

health care at home

If you are struggling with your changing health status and feel you could benefit from support from a home carer, we can help. At Home Instead, we understand there’s no place like home, and our care offering aims to help older individuals retain their independence and stay in familiar surroundings. Our bespoke services can be tailored to your needs, so whether you require companionship, home help, personal care, respite care, dementia care, palliative care or something else, our highly trained Care Professionals can deliver the individualised services you need – reach out to the team at Home Instead to learn more.