As an elderly loved one becomes more dependent on friends and family for their daily care, it can be difficult to decide if and when to move them to a comfortable assisted living community.
There are positive aspects to both, but the choice should be carefully considered. If home care is the goal, a solid plan of action should be put in place early on that prioritizes the health and safety of the senior.
A survey done by AARP found that three out of four adults would rather age at home. However, many family members report that, while their loved one resisted the idea at first, they actually quickly adapted and grew to love their new community.
What is Assisted Living?
There are many assumptions when it comes to assisted living communities, but many people are surprised to learn about everything that they typically have to offer.
Assisted living communities provide housing to active seniors who may require a little help with day-to-day tasks or help with medication or monitoring. But they’re also home to seniors who just want to live a good life in their golden years.
Many of today’s assisted living communities offer a plethora of physical and social activities, along with an impressive list of amenities that makes life for their resident easy and enjoyable.
Many communities offer different levels of care to accommodate a wide variety of physical limitations, health concerns, and even memory loss. Most communities have a professional nursing team to ensure residents are in capable, caring hands.
Some services provided might include:
- Management of medications
- Meal service
- Housekeeping and/or laundry services
- Assistance with daily activities
- On-site physician, physical therapist, etc.
Assisted living communities can provide seniors with flexibility (you’re not required to stay if you don’t like your apartment), around-the-clock care, a rich social life, promotion of staying active with a variety of fitness class offerings, and service of quality nutritional meals three times per day.
Contrary to some opinions that assisted living communities are dull, cold, and lonely, they can actually provide an incredible increase in the quality of life for most seniors.
From integrated beauty salons and barber shops to gyms to movie theaters, most of these communities offer a full and luxurious lifestyle for the seniors that call them home.
What is home care?
Home care is exactly what it sounds like. Seniors are provided care while remaining in their homes. This can be done by family, friends, or even hired professional home care aides. The caregiver offers companionship, transportation, and daily assistance.
Some of the duties associated with home care include:
- Preparing meals
- Running errands
- Housekeeping
- Bathing
- Dressing
- Medication management
- Transportation
The benefit of home care is that the senior can remain in their home while still having regular company and receiving the care they need. Home care aides often plan in-home activities to keep the senior engaged, such as movies, reading, games, or just having good conversation.
Studies have shown that the majority of home caregivers are unpaid family members. It’s important for caregivers to set a schedule, have a plan, and get the support they need to make their efforts successful and keep their senior loved one safe and happy.
Finding the Best Care Option for Your Loved One
There’s no quiz, guide, or magic 8 ball that could tell you what to do in this situation. This decision is highly personal and should be made after adequate discussion, thought, and research. Everyone involved should be in agreement, especially the senior loved one.
The best advice is to gather as much information as possible. Visit assisted living communities with an open mind, explore all your options, and go into whatever you decide well-prepared knowing what to expect from both experiences.
The friendly Bellaire at Stone Port team is happy to answer your questions and help you gather the pertinent information unique to your situation. We invite you to schedule a visit and come out and meet us and our resident family.