Home sweet home: It’s not just an expression. It’s a declaration for many of us who see our homes as the safest, most welcoming place to be, surrounded by what we love most.
But for many senior citizens, aging in place and enjoying the comforts of familiar surroundings is either something they no longer want to do or can do safely, so what are the options?
Well, when it comes to assisted living, there are a number of types of assisted living arrangements you and your senior loved ones can choose from, depending on need and circumstance.
Here, we’ll look at a few of them.
What Are Some Options?
The good news is, when it comes to types of assisted elder care, you and your senior have several excellent options to choose from that offer a spectrum of solutions.
These include:
- Independent Living: Retirement communities and senior housing complexes are examples of independent living environments that provide seniors with opportunities to socialize and offer help with daily activities like home maintenance, cooking, and light housekeeping. These communities tend to feature housing with smaller footprints in settings that are easy to navigate.
- Residential Care Communities: Sometimes called personal care or adult family homes, these small facilities offer personalized service to small groups of adults, allowing seniors to live as independently as possible. Residents may share a room with another same-sex senior (or a spouse) or choose to be in a private room if they prefer and can count on help with activities of daily living (ADL) such as meal prep, housekeeping, personal care, medication management, and more.
- Continuing Care Retirement Community: These environments are meant to meet all care needs during all stages of older life. Residents can begin living in an independent setting and move to appropriate parts of the same community depending on the level of care they need. Part independent living, part assisted living, and part skilled nursing facility, these communities are perfect for seniors who want to stay put for the rest of their lives and for spouses who wish to remain close to each other despite differing care needs.
- Skilled Nursing Facility: If your older loved one can’t take care of themselves due to a physical or mental illness and requires round-the-clock care, this option may be the answer. These facilities are staffed by licensed physicians and other medical professionals who are always on-site. Residents receive help with all ADLs and can look forward to organized outings and events, should they choose to take part. Many of these facilities offer specialized services for cognitively impaired patients.
When Is it Time to Think About Assisted Living?
We all want our elderly loved ones to live safely in their own homes for as long as possible. But sometimes, our hearts tell us that may not be a good idea. If you’re not sure, ask yourself these questions:
- Is my loved one becoming unsafe in his or her home?
- Are my loved one’s care needs beyond my physical abilities?
- Would structured and social interactions offered by outside help benefit my loved one?
Remember, these decisions don’t need to be made alone. Senior Care Authority can help you identify options and make transitions easier for you and your loved one!
Contact Senior Care Authority today to speak to one of our senior care experts to learn more about the types of assisted living care.