Looking for a senior living facility for your elderly loved one is a difficult process. There are many different options to consider, each with its own benefits and drawbacks.
The right fit will depend on your loved one’s medical and health needs, your family’s budget, and what you are looking for in a community. Here’s how to decide the best senior living option for your loved one.
Types of senior living options
Independent living
If your loved one is still largely independent but struggles with the responsibilities of homeownership, independent living is an ideal choice for them. Independent senior living facilities provide you with the comforts of home, but also give you opportunities to socialize with other seniors through various kinds of activities, like exercise classes, happy hours, book clubs, and day trips.
Most independent living facilities are designed to feel like a private residence, without the hassle of household chores, utilities, landscaping, and maintenance.
Assisted living
If your loved one is still somewhat independent but requires more personalized care, assisted living is a great option. Some signs your loved one needs assisted living is a recent fall or difficulty performing important day-to-day tasks, like meal prep, chores, or simply moving around the house.
Most assisted living facilities will offer services such as medication management and assistance with dressing, grooming, and using the bathroom. Like independent living, housekeeping, meals, laundry, transportation, and social activities are all typically included. Staff often assess residents when they move in so that they can provide an individualized care plan and will often have separate dining rooms based on residents’ nutritional needs.
Memory care
If your loved one is suffering from either Alzheimer’s or some other form of dementia, you should consider memory care. Memory care facilities provide housing and round-the-clock care for seniors with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, with specialized staff trained to help your loved one as best they can. They also provide memory-enhancing therapy, a secure environment, medication management, and help with everyday activities. Memory care facilities are also designed to limit their residents from getting confused or wandering.
Other senior care options
Here are a couple of additional options you might consider:
● Skilled nursing care. This type of care option may be right if your loved one has medical conditions that require continuous treatment, management, and observation, similar to the type of care they might receive in a hospital. Skilled nursing care is typically a short-term, transitional solution, and the goal is to get your loved one well enough to return home.
● Nursing homes. Nursing homes focus primarily on medical care for residents who need round-the-clock assistance, rather than socialization for seniors. They are typically more expensive than senior living communities because of the level of care required for each resident.
Which type of senior living community is right for your loved one?
Choosing the right senior living option can be difficult. To find the best facility or service for your loved one, it is important to closely evaluate their needs.
Some important questions to ask include:
● Are they still independent?
● Are they having trouble moving around their home?
● Are they getting the proper nutrition?
● Are they having memory problems?
● How severe are their ongoing medical conditions?
● Do they require extensive attention and supervision?
The answers to these questions will help to determine which senior living option will be right for them.
If you need help finding the right senior living community for your loved one, Welcome Home Senior Services & Placement Co. offers free concierge services to help you choose the perfect assisted living, independent living, or memory care facility in Florida. Contact us today to discuss your needs.
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