When your loved ones get to an age when they need additional care then you have a number of options. You need to know what is available to make an assessment of the best way forward and this article will help you to do that.
There are all kinds of things that you need to take into consideration when choosing senior care services. First there is the available budget. It can cost a lot of money to place your loved one into an assisted living center for example so you really need to work out what you can comfortably afford.
Another factor is the way that your loved one feels about their current home. Many elderly people do not want to leave their home and the circle of friends that they have in the community. This is understandable particularly if they have lived there for a long time. So let’s take a look at three of the most popular senior care options available.
Assisted Living
With assisted living the senior citizen will move to a center that has full time care staff. They will have their own room and be able to do whatever they want so they will maintain their independence.
Care staff will assist with many daily activities such as dressing, bathing, the taking of medications and transportation. Family members are normally welcome to visit their loved ones at any time.
In some assisted living centers it is possible for your loved one to share a room with another person if they prefer to do this. The care providers carry out all household chores and this includes cooking, laundry and cleaning.
The two main disadvantages of assisted living are the cost and the fact that your loved ones will have to leave their home. Another downside is that your loved one will not receive care from the same person so it can be difficult to build a bond with the different care givers.
Communities for Independent Living
Independent living is similar in a way to assisted living. Most states will have retirement communities where senior citizens can live and keep their independence. Usually the independent living center will take care of all of the chores so that the seniors can enjoy a free lifestyle to do what they want.
With some communities it is possible for your loved one to have a choice of living arrangements. In some cases it is possible to live in a town house that has its own yard. You will also find that some communities have apartments and condos as well. The costs of these different options will vary considerably.
One of the problems of independent living is that the seniors have to leave their home which can be very stressful for them. If your loved one is suffering from a number of health problems independent living may not be the best solution. Most retirement communities do not have on site nursing facilities. Independent living can also be a costly option.
Home Care Services
If your loved one wants to stay in their own home then there is no need for you to worry. There are some excellent in home care services available. Usually you can tailor a specific home care package for your loved one and only choose the services that they really need.
One of the most popular home care services is for personal care. The care giver will assist your love one with all aspects of personal hygiene and grooming so that they look their best at all times. This can include bathing, shampooing, shaving for male elders, hair styling and combing and so on.
Another popular service is meal preparation. Often seniors are advised to follow a specific diet by their doctor and the care giver will ensure that these meals are prepared. Even if your loved one is not on a special diet then the care giver will still ensure that nutritious meals are prepared.
When it is difficult for your loved one to get around then you can leave it to home care services to do the housekeeping chores such as cleaning, vacuuming, sweeping, window cleaning and other chores too. They will also do the laundry for your loved one ensuring that they have clean clothes at all times.
There are many other services that a home care giver can provide. They can help with mobility issues, toilet and incontinence issues, shopping for grocery items, arranging transportation and providing medication reminders to name but a few.
The costs of using home care services are a lot less than assisted living. Also there is no stress about leaving their home for the senior. The other major benefit is that your loved one will have the chance to bond with their care giver which will make everything a whole lot easier.
We offer the finest home care services for your loved one at a very reasonable price. Find out more about our services by calling 331-281-0728