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It’s always difficult to see an elderly parent or relative you love struggling to look after themselves, and often it can make you feel helpless. While some people are able and willing to care for their senior relatives themselves, this isn’t a viable option for everyone. This is why considering other senior care options is important, especially if you’re growing increasingly concerned about the relative in question. If you think your senior parent or relative could benefit from some additional care, here are a few of the most popular options available to you, depending on the kind of care that they need.
Retirement Community
Retirement communities are aimed at those who are still able to live independently but perhaps are feeling lonely or would like to be around people of a similar age. They will have a private room or apartment to live in, usually with self-catering facilities. In these communities, there are often on-site facilities such as a restaurant, gym, library, grocery store, hair salons, laundry services, etc. There will also be organized activities like book clubs, movie nights, dances, and sporting activities so that the residents can participate and socialize. If your senior relative is still in good health and can look after themselves but has commented to you that they feel isolated or depressed due to loneliness, this might be the right place for you.
Assisted Living
This is similar to a retirement community but is designed for those who might struggle with basic daily tasks, such as cleaning, cooking, or getting bathed and dressed. Again, residents at assisted living communities will have a private room to live in, but they will have carers on-site who will come to help them with certain tasks. They will also help with any medication management that a resident might need, and carers are usually on-site 24/7.
Nursing Home
Nursing homes are not the same thing as the two that have been listed above. Nursing homes are for those who need more intensive care due to specific health conditions, and they are often visited by doctors weekly as well as having licensed geriatric nurses on-site at all times. While they might offer similar care as assisted living, it is for those who need more support.
Palliative Care
If your senior relative has been diagnosed with a terminal illness, then palliative care will be the best choice when they are ready. At a hospice, patients are helped to feel more comfortable in their final days, with nurses helping them manage pain medication and supporting their loved ones, too. LightBridge Hospice in San Diego County is a great example of the kind of palliative care available, so if you live in this area, it’s worth visiting them for more information. If not, find a similar hospice near you and see how they can support you and your relative during this difficult time.
Memory Care
If your senior relative is suffering from Alzheimer’s or Dementia, then looking at a memory care center or living facility will be the kind of support you and they will need. It can be a very confusing and difficult experience for everyone involved when they are dealing with this kind of condition, and although they might be able to cope day to day now, they might need more intensive care in the future.
If you have a senior parent or relative and you’re worried about their well-being, consider the different types of care listed above and whether they are services that could be helpful.
