Do you have elderly loved ones who are beginning to have trouble taking care of themselves? Many options are available to provide the help they need: elderly in home care, retirement homes, nurse visits, and living with their family. However, knowing what is best for them can be challenging, so you must weigh all the options. This article will help you figure out how to choose the right care for your elderly loved ones.
Consider Your Senior’s Physical and Mental Needs
This important decision should be made by the entire family, if possible, to get the most feedback and to ensure everyone agrees on the course of action. Your elderly relative should be part of this process and be informed of new discussions and decisions.
You should sit down and ask some serious questions about the state of their health and their current ability to care for themselves:
- Are they still generally able to perform day-to-day functions, such as cooking and cleaning? What tasks cause them trouble?
- What health problems are beginning to appear, and how are those affecting their day-to-day lives?
- Are there elements in their home, such as stairs, which are beginning to pose a physical danger?
- What is the status of their finances? Can they pay for their own care, or will the family need to assist?
- How is their mental state and their memory? Are there signs of deterioration?
- What options are available in your area? Services such as elderly home care or on-call private nurses are unavailable in some areas.
Also, look at your own condition: physically, mentally, and financially. Challenges in this area can dictate some of your options.
Compare Your Senior Care Options
Depending on the condition of your loved one, you could have several different options to choose the right care for your loved one.
Finding Aging In Place Housing
In many cases, a smaller home without stairs is all a physically-challenged older adult needs to remain self-sufficient. In addition, you and your loved one may agree to find a home located close to family, so help and companionship are more accessible.
Moving Seniors Into Family Members’ Homes
This choice is often the preferred option because family members want to be able to take care of everything for their elderly loved ones. Though this option may seem less expensive and more convenient, this full time caregiving can exact significant mental and physical tolls from family caregivers.
Retirement Villages
Less restrictive than traditional “nursing homes,” these villages function more like gated communities but have specialty services on-call 24/7. However, the expense of this housing option can be prohibitive.
Full-Care Retirement Homes
When loved ones have moved beyond being able to care for themselves, family members sometimes choose this fully assisted-care environment.
