It can be tough to watch your parents struggle with their health as they age — and even more difficult to find the best senior care option for keeping them healthy, cognitively sharp, and active longer.
While there are plenty of exceptional independent and assisted living facilities in Arizona, mom and dad may not be too thrilled about leaving the comforts of home.
Fortunately, they don’t have to. Private duty nurses can deliver hospital-level medical support that’s far more comprehensive than traditional caregiving.
While you may initially worry about the cost, private nursing care that is provided in the home may actually save the family money in the long run, especially toward the last few months of life. This facet of home healthcare just might be the answer you’ve been searching for.
Let’s explore the pros and cons of each senior care option to create a smoother decision-making process for your family.
Independent Living: Maintenance-Free in a Retirement Community
If your loved one is still largely self-sufficient and in good health, independent living may be ideal for those seeking a maintenance-free lifestyle with a care team on standby.
The problem? It still requires “the big move.” Older adults face a costly, uneasy transition of adjusting from their beloved family residence to a few-hundred-square-foot room that doesn’t feel like home.
Independent Living Pros
- Maintenance free: No yardwork burdens or home upkeep costs.
- Amenities like gyms, walking paths, dining, etc. are typically available on site.
- A care team may be nearby for assistance with unexpected health challenges in joint independent and assisted living environments.
Independent Living Cons
- Must leave home, condense belongings and move into a facility that might have a smaller living space.
- Monthly costs average a staggering $5,200 in Phoenix independent living communities.
- Caregivers are not Registered Nurses (RNs). They can help with day-to-day health needs as they arise, but cannot provide a comprehensive, proactive care plan to prolong health.
Assisted Living: Everyday Support in a Senior Care Facility
For older adults in Arizona who need a higher level of support, assisted living is the standard. It is similar to independent living, but the added benefit of Assistance of Daily Living (ADL) within facilities gives many families peace of mind that their loved one’s safety, sociability and everyday needs are covered — without having to take on the caregiving burden themselves.
Assisted Living Pros
- Your loved one can stay social with classes, events, clubs, and community-style dining.
- Staff are available 24/7 to address general health concerns and intervene during emergencies.
- Residents receive assistance with daily tasks like dressing, feeding, cleaning, etc.
Assisted Living Cons
- Must leave home, condense belongings and move into a facility with a far smaller unit.
- Phoenix assisted living costs average around $6,000 per month, highly exceeding this rate in areas like Scottsdale — which is beyond many families’ budgets.
- Caregivers may not be RNs. Arizona is one of just 16 states to have no RN requirement for assisted living facilities, potentially compromising the health of your loved one.
In-Home Caregiving: Help with To-Dos at Home
If the thought of moving out leaves you or your loved one anxious, you have options to keep them in their own home. Traditional caregiving will help them with errands, home upkeep and personal hygiene tasks they can no longer take on themselves.
But if quality, expert medical care is your priority, you need to look beyond traditional caregiving. This type of assistance for seniors living at home is great for companionship and maintaining life’s to-dos, but caregivers can’t provide the same expertise as a Registered Nurse in supporting specialized medical needs.
While this service can be a lifesaver for you and your family, you may also need a plan in place for any issues that arise down the road. If mom or dad needs heart failure management, tube feeding at home, ostomy and tracheotomy care, or assistance with other, more complex health needs, it’s important to have an experienced medical support system on call. This is even more important if they have two or more health conditions like cancer, diabetes, or heart disease.
In-Home Caregiving Pros
- Your loved one receives assistance with daily tasks like dressing, feeding, cleaning, etc., which can enhance their cleanliness, confidence, and quality of life.
- Some companies offer basic healthcare services and medication management.
- Less stress for families; caregivers cover the home- and self-maintenance.
In-Home Caregiving Cons
- Lack of medical expertise; caregivers are not RNs who can adequately address health needs.
- Inflexible scheduling, unclear payments and frequent no-shows can create complications.
- Assistance is limited to day-to-day tasks, and no comprehensive healthcare is involved.
In-Home Nursing Services with Navi Nurses: Medical Care from RNs Who Come to You
Don’t just keep your loved ones comfortable at home — put them in trusted hands when it comes to their health. Merging the high-quality expertise you’d expect from a hospital with the companionship of traditional caregiving, our private, in-home nursing care means you don’t have to choose between the best of both worlds.
Private duty Registered Nurses have at least four years of experience and most still actively work in hospitals, bringing up-to-date clinical knowledge directly to the home. Building strong relationships with the whole family, we cater to every aspect of well-being, from complex care to mental health.
You can book visits, usually available the same day, on your schedule — with a clear hourly rate. Your family can enjoy peace of mind with reliable communication from our team while staying in control of the care plan from end to end.
In-Home Nursing Pros
- A Registered Nurse network, highly experienced in 15+ specialties, aligns with your loved one’s unique health situation to help ensure optimal health outcomes for longevity.
- Straightforward self-pay model; request as many visits as you need within your family’s budget.
- From 24/7 end-of-life care to on-demand shifts for home help after surgery, visits are on your own terms and often available within just a few hours.
- Clients are involved every step of the way, leading all healthcare decisions. Nurses form strong bonds with you and your loved one and can become a trusted extension of your family.
- Nurses work in collaboration with your current medical team, so you don’t have to worry about adding another provider to the mix. They keep everyone updated and on the same page.
In-Home Nursing Cons
- Those seeking home help instead of expert medical support need a traditional caregiver.
- Insurance is not accepted However, Navi Nurses accepts HSA/FSA plans and coordinates with long-term care policies.
- Slightly more expensive than traditional home caregiving, but clients receive RN expertise.
Skilled Nursing Facility vs. Home Healthcare: What’s Right for You?
If you’ve weighed your options and decided Navi Nurses’ home health RNs are the best fit for your family, let’s get in touch. You can breathe easy knowing your loved one is receiving hands-on healthcare from experts, and your loved one can do the same knowing they won’t need to leave home.
Ready to hire a private nurse and co-create a care plan? Call us at (480) 482-1891 or reach out today. You’ll be heard by a medical professional right away.
