You cant always be there, but we can

Tag: elderly

Assisted Living versus In-Home Senior Living Care

Many families have to struggle with the decision on what they should do about the living situation for their loved ones who have reached retirement age. Many seniors tend to prefer to stay inside their own home for as long as possible due to the familiarity and the attachment they have, which is completely understandable if not incredibly subjective.

Of course, with every compromise comes a threshold for when one choice is simply no longer sustainable, but there’s always a need to respect and accept the desires of a loved one. But there are several other questions that should be asked when deciding between an assisted living facility or in-home care services.

The Right Questions to Ask for Senior Living

There are a number of things you should inquire about before making such an important decision about an aging parent. Do they live alone? Is there somebody they could move in with? Do they require constant medical care? Would they be comfortable having someone caring for and feeding them while keeping them safe?

You would be well off sitting down and creating a list of any potential queries so you have all your bases covered!

Weighing Your Options

From there, you can move on to the pros and cons of an assisted living facility versus in-home care. As we already mentioned, many will opt to continue living in their homes where they are most comfortable.

To move away from the social isolation and poor nutrition that is typically caused from independent senior living, many families will hire in-home caregivers who will provide oversight, prepare meals, and take care of any transportation services. On the other hand, some will choose to go with an assisted living community so they’re among others their age they can interact with.

Coming to a Final Decision

Any choice you make should always take the wishes of your loved one into consideration. That way, you will be able to come to a solution together so everyone feels good about the arrangement. There are other factors you should think about.

This is why you should get in touch with a professional who can sit down with you and go over these matters in full. In the meantime, if you have any questions or thoughts you would like to share regarding this determination, be sure to share them in the comments section below. We would love to read them!

Choosing the Right Caregivers for a Senior Citizen

Millions of Americans who have reached an elderly age are impaired and require some form of long-term care. This personal assistance allows them to perform daily routines including eating, dressing, and bathing.

While this may be the case, most of these senior citizens prefer to live in their own homes for as long as they possibly can. However, they have to also deal with the fact they may have disabilities, so they may typically receive care from family and friends.

But now more than ever, people are recognizing the benefits of hiring professional caregivers. It offers peace of mind for families while also ensuring the patient receives the comfort and safety they need when they want to stay in their homes for a longer period.

With that in mind, in this article, we’ll run down some tips for choosing the right in-home caregiver for your loved one!

Take Stock of Your Needs

Before you go through the process of searching for a skilled caregiver, first take a moment to determine the level of care the person in question needs. If they only need help with preparing meals or getting dressed, you will typically work with a homemaker or personal care assistant.

You also have home health aides who do all the above including attending to their medical needs such as changing bandages, administering medications, and other related duties. They typically work under a nurse’s supervision to ensure all the proper protocols are followed and safety remains the priority.

It’s also important to consider just how many hours of care are required. Does your loved one need around-the-clock attention, or simply some help performing chores and run errands a few days a week?

Choosing a Home Health Agency

If you decide to go with a home health agency, they are able to take care of a lot of these inquiries on your behalf. That includes assessing your loved one’s needs while also assigning appropriately trained staff to care for them.

Make sure the agency is certified and you have a strong grasp of the level of care they will provide. There are also those who offer a free, in-home consultation with the patient and a family member or friend.

This is the perfect opportunity to have them answer any questions you may have, as it also allows the one being cared for the chance to get comfortable with the person they will depend on for assistance.

Conclusion

Perhaps most beneficial is if there is any problem whatsoever with the service, the agency is responsible for handling the situation. There are many factors to take into consideration when choosing the right caregiver, so spend the time to make the right decision. It can really make all the difference.

Do you have any questions or comments regarding this process or the role of a caregiver? Please share them in the comments section below!