If you’ve recently learned that an elderly loved one needs assistance, you’re probably faced with countless questions. What type of care do they need? Can I afford it? Will they be cooperative? Watching someone close to you age and deteriorate is difficult, but choosing the right type of care to help them live a happy life makes the process easier to handle. Knowing your loved one needs care is different from knowing exactly what type of facility will serve them best. Continue reading to discover six of the most popular forms of senior care and if they’re the best option for your situation.
In-Home Health Care
This is the most common form of health care for seniors who enjoy an independent lifestyle but can no longer live alone. Many seniors feel safe and comfortable in their own home. The thought of leaving not only scares them, but causes them to act out aggressively. If your loved one is already dealing with a medical condition, upsetting or aggravating them is the last thing you want to do. For these types of situations, an in-home health care company is likely your best option. Most companies offer part-time and full-time nurses to help care for patients. This will depend on your loved one’s level of care. They may only need an in-home aid for part of the day — to help with bathing, dressing, and taking medication. Other conditions warrant an in-home nurse around the clock. The only downside to this option is cost. Depending on the type of medical coverage your family member has, in-home aids can get quite costly.
Senior Center
Is your loved one still capable of living independently at home but lacks social interaction? Depression affects a shocking number of individuals over the age of 65. To avoid your loved one feeling isolated or withdrawn, try signing them up for a senior daycare facility. Most towns have local senior centers where residents can visit during the day and participate in scheduled activities and events. Not only does this connect them with other seniors their age, but it gets them out of the house and gives their life purpose and meaning. They’ll probably make good friends and see the same familiar faces each week. Depending on where you live, many towns offer local busing and transportation that brings the seniors from their homes to the facility and back. This eliminates the worry over finding a suitable ride and ensures your loved one won’t miss any of the action! Activities usually include arts and crafts, games, luncheons, and special guests.
Independent Living
Is your loved one in relatively good health but lacking a social life? He or she might benefit from entering an independent living facility. These communities are designed for older individuals who are still living a healthy, active lifestyle. Many couples over the age of 55 enter these types of communities to foster their social lives, be involved, and gain access to activities, amenities, and other perks. Independent living facilities offer a smooth transition from living alone to living within a community. This will also help down the road if your loved one needs to enter an assisted living facility or, eventually, a nursing home. Many independent communities have assisted living facilities close by that they work with. This means your aging parent will receive top-notch care and experience a smooth transition from one facility to another, if and when the time comes.
Assisted Living
Assisted living facilities are likely the most popular form of care for senior citizens. They vary in size and function. The one thing that all assisted living facilities have in common is that they offer some degree of medical attention for patients. Most assisted living staff are certified nurses or have received a certification in a field related to caring for senior citizens. When it comes to find an assisted living home, you need to consider several factors including location, size, services, and your loved one’s current state of health. The beauty of an assisted living facility is that residents have the ability to be as independent as they’d like. Most facilities offer games, activities, group meals, events, and rehabilitation services. If your loved one enters the facility needing minimal care, that’s great! But if during their time there, they require increased medical attention, they can get what they need without ever moving residence. This makes it convenient and easy for your loved one to enter an assisted living facility and remain there comfortably well into the future.
Palliative Care (Hospice)
When most people hear the word Hospice, they automatically think it’s a death sentence for their loved one. While Hospice is the organization most family members turn to for end-of-life care, these services actually offer plenty of benefits while your elderly loved ones are still alive. Palliative care focuses on offering comfort and pain relief for patients with long-term illnesses. In most cases, their medical conditions are terminal and untreatable. It’s palliative care’s job to help preserve their final days by creating a comfortable environment. Some patients may remain in palliative care for months before ever needing Hospice. For many, Hospice is the next step and allows patients to pass on peacefully and pain-free. Some hospitals offer palliative care and Hospice services within their facilities. Other individuals prefer to enter this type of care within the comfort of their own home.
Nursing Homes
There are several types of facilities that fall under the overarching label “nursing home”. These facilities are sometimes referred to as rest homes, care homes, or convalescent homes. A step-up from an assisted living facility, nursing homes offer round-the-clock nursing care for residents. Most seniors that enter a nursing home have a serious or chronic medical condition that prevents them from living a productive life independently. Some nursing home residents are classified as disabled, may be bed ridden, and likely have difficulty caring for themselves or performing everyday tasks. To some, a nursing home feels more like a hospital than a living facility. This is due to the advanced medical attention that most residents require. But that doesn’t mean that the atmosphere is cold, dark, or depressing. Nursing homes are set-up much like assisted living facilities in the sense that they offer group activities, celebrate holidays, welcome visitors, and go out of their way to make residents feel comfortable and welcome.
Just because you can’t care for your elderly loved one yourself doesn’t mean you can’t offer them the support they need. With so many senior care options available, there’s no doubt you’ll find the perfect one for your situation.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
