Residential Care Explained: Key Factors And Options For Families
An estimated 70 percent of Americans need some level of extra care in their senior years. This happens earlier for some than others. Some seniors begin to need help due to medical conditions, mobility issues, and other challenges in their late 60s while others don’t require assistance until they’re in their late 70s or older. Regardless of the age at which their health begins to decline, their care needs tend to increase from that point on.
Exploring Care Options for Seniors
For loved ones who need assistance, several possibilities are available. Those include aging in place as well as a variety of residential care options. Which one is best depends on various factors. Consider some of the senior care solutions that are at your family’s disposal and how to decide which one is right for your loved one.
Aging in Place
Many seniors want to age in place. For them, family members may try to offer as much help and support as possible. Home health nurses and professional in-home caregivers are available to bridge the gaps and provide assistance family members aren’t able to on their own. That being said, this isn’t the right solution for everyone, and it comes with many challenges for caregivers and their aging loved ones.
Assisted Living Communities
Assisted living communities are among the most popular choices right now. They essentially combine the benefits of aging in place with those of having around-the-clock care available. They give seniors their privacy and as much independence as possible. They don’t have to sacrifice the extra care and assistance they need to get those benefits, though. Highly qualified caregivers are on hand to help when needed, and residents have access to all the medical care they require.
Memory Care Communities
Memory care is similar to assisted living. It gives residents their own private spaces and certain levels of independence while also providing any extra support and medical care they need. One of the main differences here is that memory care communities are tailored to the needs of seniors who are living with dementia. This is a progressive condition. As such, those who suffer from it need increasing levels of care as they age. Caregivers and medical professionals in memory care communities have extra training to cater to those evolving needs.
Continuing Care Retirement Communities
Continuing care retirement communities are gaining popularity as well. Their care and services are designed to change along with residents’ needs as they grow older. They’re basically independent living, assisted living, and memory care communities combined. They’re a wonderful solution for seniors who know their health or cognitive abilities will decline significantly as they age.
Nursing Homes
Nursing homes are also an option for those who need residential care. These facilities focus on intensive medical care and monitoring, but they often fall short where comforts and amenities are concerned. They tend to be more institutional than assisted living, memory care, and CCRCs. Nursing home residents generally don’t have the same levels of independence and privacy as they do in other settings, but this may be a more affordable choice in some cases.
Choosing the Right Senior Living Option for Your Loved One
Several factors should be taken into account when choosing a senior living option for your loved one. Those include their health and whether it’s likely to decline considerably as they age. Your loved one’s budget is also a consideration though the cost of different senior living options shouldn’t be the sole deciding factor. Location and the amenities and services your loved one wants and needs are also important factors to think about. Though not all senior living solutions are right for all seniors, you’re sure to find an option that works well for your loved one.
