Are you thinking about getting your loved one into senior housing? The available senior living options seem endless, making it hard to know if you are making the right decision. Taking care of your elderly at home is usually the first option you will consider.
But as humans age, they reach a point where they need assistance in their day-to-day living. The population of American citizens older than 65 has increased exponentially in the last ten years.
The transition to living in a senior community may be difficult. But you can choose an option that suits the needs of your loved one and has the amenities they require. Read on and uncover the various forms of personal care available in different living options for seniors.
Senior Living Options
There are two broad living options available for seniors. These are independent living and assisted living.
Independent Living Communities
Seniors who are healthy and require no assistance in day-to-day living can thrive in independent living communities. These communities have different amenities and services that allow your loved one to age in place.
Independent living options are ideal for retirees and individuals who are transitioning from the ages of 60 to 70. Some of the personal care services your loved one will receive as a member of an independent living community include:
- Housekeeping services
- Apartment maintenance
- Social and recreational programs
- Restaurant-quality dining
One of the most common forms of independent living communities is Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs). These communities provide a continuum of care services in a single community.
CCRCs are different based on the nature of retirees. So, military veterans can have independent retirement communities to access senior living services in a program uniquely designed to suit their needs.
Assisted Living
Assisted living communities offer more services and personal care for seniors. If your loved one needs help performing daily activities, an assisted living community could be ideal. With assisted living, seniors enjoy various services and amenities designed to enhance their welfare.
The staff at assisted living communities are highly trained and can perform a variety of services, including:
- Meal plans
- Medication management
- Support services such as dressing, bathing, and housekeeping
- Recreational and social activities
Modern assisted living options also include fast-track programs to help your loved one transition seamlessly into their new environment. Seniors can get tailored services through assisted living, and the staff is available 24/7/.
Seniors can live in an assisted living community for as long as they need. However, the average stay in an assisted living community is three years. So, you may need to explore additional living options for your loved one with time.
In-Home Care
Your loved one can continue enjoying the comfort of home while receiving personal care services. In-home care services are available for a few hours or the entire day. It’s a much more affordable option, allowing you to stay close to your kin.
Light housekeeping, meal preparation, and personal care services are amenities available through in-home care. In-home care is ideal for seniors who are relatively healthy and have a strong desire to stay home.
Many seniors prefer keeping their living environment the same as they age. But you can get a professional to help them and provide essential services they might need. Getting a live-in caregiver is the best option if your loved one needs 24-hour care.
Memory Care Services
Senior care services also include memory care for seniors with cognitive impairments. Memory care services are ideal for seniors diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s. Memory care communities have specialized units and services designed to help residents.
Some of the services offered include:
- Medication management
- Meal and nutrition support
- Secure environments with round-the-clock care
Some memory care communities offer programs designed to improve the cognitive function of their residents. It can be heartbreaking to see your loved one forget who they are, but memory care communities can alleviate your stress by providing high-quality care.
Residential Care
Elderly care plans also include residential care services designed to cater to seniors who have gone through illness, hospitalization, or surgery and need 24-hour care. Residential care provides services tailored to help your loved one get continuous attention in a home-like environment.
Residential care is ideal if you don’t have an at-home caregiver or they are unavailable for whatever reason. Our residential care services are also available part-time or permanently. Your loved one can enjoy a hybrid living system with access to our residential care community while having the option to stay at home.
Palliative Care and Hospice Care
Coming to terms with the terminal illness of a loved one is extremely difficult. Senior housing options that can help you meet the needs of your parent or kin at the end of their life are palliative and hospice care.
Some of the benefits of hospice care include:
- Pain relief and symptom management
- Continuous patient support
- Improved quality of care
Palliative and hospice care senior living options are focused on easing pain and providing residents with comfort. Palliative care services and communities are closely linked to hospice care. These care services focus on comfort rather than rehabilitation.
Adult Day Services
Some seniors don’t need round-the-clock care but still need some assistance. So, what do you do if you can’t stay at home to take of them? Adult day communities allow seniors to receive personal care services throughout the day.
According to the CDC, the number of participants in adult day services was about 237,400 seniors. Some of the services offered in adult day communities are:
- Snacks and meals
- Social activities
- Entertainment and therapeutic activities
Adult day communities allow seniors to interact with their peers during the day and stay at home during the night. It’s a great blend between living in an assisted living community and at-home stay.
Get the Best Senior Living Options for Your Loved One Today
Choosing the best senior living options is often guided by the available senior living amenities. However, the types of personal care services and community living conditions should also influence your decision.
Uncover the forms of personal care available in senior living with Summit Place Assisted Living. Contact us today and let us choose the best option for your parent or kin.
