Elder care is your chance to give back to someone that has spent a lifetime caring for you, but what are your options? Your role as caretaker is to find the right environment for your parent based on his or her individual needs. It is a difficult task, one that is an adjustment for both of you. It takes careful thought and planning. Exploring the range of options gives you a broad view of the challenges and the opportunities available for your aging parent.
Questions to Consider
Start by asking some questions to determine what level of care your loved one requires.
- Does he or she need help in the morning and evenings only or throughout the day?
- Is there obvious memory impairment?
- What daily activities can your loved one do independently – cooking meals, for example, or housework?
- What community options are available like adult day services and senior transportation?
- What are his or her medical needs?
Once you answer these questions, you can evaluate each living situation to see which one offers the best care choices.
Independent Living
For most healthy seniors, independence is the best option. Arranging for a little help during the day may be all it takes to allow your parent to remain in at home. For example, in home health care in San Diego allows residents there to get assistance with daily needs without giving up their independent space.
Look through the home to see what represents a risk for the senior.
- Are there stairs to maneuver? Can everything be moved to the first floor?
- Is there proper lighting?
- What about security? Is the neighborhood safe?
- Is the location convenient for family helpers to visit?
- What are the community service options in that area?
If the current residence is not suitable, consider moving your parent to a smaller apartment, perhaps one in a senior or retirement community and arrange for in home care. A senior living community allows him or her to maintain their independence in a safe environment.
Once you make proper living arraignments, consider what type of in home care will improve your parent’s quality of life? In home assistance can provide meals, light housekeeping and a friend to visit each day. Add some high tech tools like automatic pill dispensers and monitoring systems for security and your parent can live comfortably with minimal assistance.
Adult day care gives your independent parent a chance to socialize during the day with other seniors, as well. Depression is growing concern with the elderly, so a day service keeps seniors active and eliminates that shut-in feeling. Adult day care will also provide supervision in a secure environment during the family’s working hours.
Assisted Living
Assisted living is different than a basic senior community. These facilities are suitable for parents who require more structure supervision. Your parent would have his or her own living space, but with access to nursing and aid care. Assisted living provides less freedom, so it is the optimal choice for the parent who is unable to manage daily tasks like bathing or who may wander due to memory problems.
Residential Care Facilities
With a group, memory care or nursing home, your parent will share a living space with other seniors who require the same level of assistance. The facility is staffed with medical personnel and employees able to provide even the most basic care. They are responsible for bathing, meals and full supervision of your parent.
Residential facilities are reserved for elderly patients in need of continuous supervision and medical monitoring. It is not a good choice for a parent who is still independent and able to live with just the minor assistance available with in home care.
People age differently, so determining the level of care your parent needs is the first step to developing an elder care plan. From there, you can create a care scenario that allows your parent to enjoy the golden years safely and comfortably.
Article Submitted By Community Writer