How to Determine the Right Type of Care for the Needs of Your Senior

Seeking the most suitable type of care for your senior can be a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be. The choices can seem unlimited and therefore overwhelming. How overwhelming, especially when you want the best care for your senior.

It's important to start by understanding the types of care available. Knowing what each entails will help you narrow down your options to what closely meets the needs of your loved one. Anticipating their future needs influences your final decision. In other words, don't just look at the short-term but incorporate long-term care needs to arrive at the most suitable type of care.

Here are various care options to consider:

Skilled Care vs. Supportive Care

The highest level of care entails skilled (medical) care and supportive (non-medical) care. Skilled care comprises:

* Catheter care
* Physical therapy
* Physical disabilities care
* Bariatric care
* Spinal injuries care
* Multiple sclerosis care
* Convalescence care
* Administration of medications through IV, which only a skilled medical worker can do

Supportive care is non-medical care and involves companion care which offers daily companionship and assistance with activities like meal preparation, laundry, and light housekeeping. If your loved one is living alone and your visits are limited, social interaction becomes very important to their happiness and helps prevent feelings of isolation and depression. Supportive care can also include personal care with more intimate, non-medical care needs like toileting, bathing, dressing and grooming. This type of care is for seniors with Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, dementia, or frail elderly adults.

Both types of care can happen in the home setting, a residential care facility like an independent or assisted living community, or an adult day care setting.

Home Care vs. Home Health Care

While the terms home care and home health care sometimes refer to the same thing, they differ. Both types occur in an individual's home, but home care means unskilled care, as described above. It entails tasks like bathing and dressing the senior, cooking, doing laundry, housekeeping, and accompanying the individual to their doctor's appointments.

Home health care is a different level of care, requiring the care provider to have medical training. The care provider performs procedures like checking the senior's vitals and assisting with medical equipment, like braces, artificial limbs, and ventilators. A home health care provider may also provide supportive care.

Assisted Living vs. Memory Care

Assisted living and memory care provide 24-hour supervision and personalized care. The care entails assistance with social activities, meals, and other amenities. The distinguishing factor is that memory care is for people living with Alzheimer's disease, dementia, or other memory impairements.

Memory care also ensures patients get a higher level of care than assisted living care. The staff for memory care has the proper training to handle the emotional, behavioral, cognitive, and physical issues associated with dementia. Consequently, memory care is more expensive than assisted living care.

Palliative Care vs. Hospice Care

Palliative care focuses on providing relief to patients from their pain and suffering. It differs from medical care which aims to treat or cure underlying medical conditions. Hospice care encompasses treating terminally-ill patients towards the end of their lives. It also includes palliative care, but not all people in palliative care are in hospice care.

Virtual Companion Care

Virtual companion care entails home care using technology. A senior living at home alone has access to a computer or tablet that allows care providers to monitor their safety, mood, and medication. Most importantly, the senior can interact with other people for companionship, reducing isolation and loneliness. The downside is that virtual care doesn't include hands-on care. Still, it promises to reduce the cost of care while improving the life of a senior living alone.

Final Thoughts

Senior Helpers can make it easier for families to truly understand the care needs of their loved ones. We are the only homecare agency offering a revolutionary new way to approach senior care with our exclusive LIFE Profile Assessment. We provide tailored senior care services regardless of where your loved one lives. At Senior Helpers, we provide tailored senior care services regardless of where your loved one lives. Get in touch with us to schedule a free assessment today!