As you or a loved one progresses into older age, personal and physical needs will begin to change.
Deciding what senior living choices work best for the needs of a loved one or oneself can become overwhelming. Once you decide it is time to gather information about senior living choices, it’s good to understand the wide variety of options that are available.
One sure-fire way to avoid confusion and have your questions answered is to reach out to a Care Manager. A Professional Care Manager is a licensed and/or certified professional trained to answer any questions or concerns you may have. They are capable of providing referrals for options you might not be aware of. Professional Care Managers also have a wealth of knowledge and experience in housing/care placement and can steer you gently in the direction that works best for the person seeking assistance. Having the training and experience a professional care manager can provide will help make sure that the senior living choices you are interested in are safe. Providing a comfortable environment can help make the transition less stressful.
Options for senior living choices depend mostly on the care needed or required for the one seeking a different living environment. So the first question to be answered is how much additional care does the senior need?
A Few Options For Senior Living
Independent Living
Independent living is for a senior that is capable of daily activities, but still could use some assistance. Having an in-home care manager visit the senior to help with the larger tasks; such as, running errands, cleaning, meal preparation etc. In an independent living situation the senior may just need a bit of assistance with these daily chores and activities and it would help make life easier.
Continuing Care Retirement Communities
Continuing Care Retirement Communities are living facilities that have a wide range of care. You can live independently, or the facility can offer assisted living care. Prices vary depending on the care required. This type of living situation works well for people who are not looking to move to different facilities based on problems that might arise as one grows older. It can provide a wider range of care needed over time.
Assisted Living
Assisted living communities can offer independent living, but the majority of residents need a bit more care. A community of this sort has more staff on hand. Staff that is trained to offer the care needed if the senior requires greater assistance. When a senior is in a community such as this, it can give great comfort to family members. Knowing that Mom or Dad had a place they felt was home. A home that offers around the clock services if there is an unforeseen emergency. These places offer freedoms that allow the senior to feel as if they are living independently, with a community of friends, all the while with the safety net of staff at hand.
These are just three of the many options available when contemplating senior living choices. Keep in mind, there is help out there and these decisions to not need to be made blindly.
Eldercare Services has been providing Bay Area families with Care Management, Home Care Services, Advocacy, Counseling, Support Groups and Education since 1989. We are open to answering any questions you may have when faced with the challenge of finding the right place for your aging loved one to call home and receive the care they need. Feel free to reach out to us at (866) 272-3769