Elder Care: What are the options?

One thing that everyone on the planet has in common is the aging process. There’s no escaping the fact that each person on Earth gets older every day, and when some people are in their senior years, they might need some care to improve their wellbeing.

You’re likely reading this article because a loved one, such as a parent, is in their senior years and is showing signs that they need some help and support with their daily lives. The thing is, you’re unsure of the care options open to them. Here’s what is available:

In-Home Care

If your parent wants to continue living at home and only have light to moderate care needs, one option that will prove attractive is in-home care. It’s where an elder care professional or team of professionals help with various daily tasks or activities.

For example, your parent might need assistance with their daily laundry, grocery shopping, or dishwashing. They may also need help with personal care, such as having a bath or shower each day or preparing meals to eat throughout the day.

Elder care professionals will typically visit your parent at a scheduled time each day to provide a consistent routine.

Adult Day Programs

Another option is having your parent participate in adult day programs. It’s an option that involves supervised care, along with structured social and personal activities during daytime hours.

If your parent lives alone, it can be an excellent way to get them out of their home for a few hours each day to enjoy social interaction with other people, including those in their age group.

Plus, if your parent lives with you, it means you have some daily respite from providing their care, and you can go to work, for example, without worrying if they’ll injure themselves at home alone.

Nursing Homes

There are occasions where it doesn’t make sense for some seniors to continue living at home. For example, they might have a lot of care needs, and you can’t provide the round-the-clock care that they need.

In those circumstances, a nursing home can be the best choice. If your parent and yourself decide that a nursing home is the right choice for them, ensure that you research the best ones in your area to avoid problems like nursing home abuse.

Assisted Living

Last but not least, what if your parent prefers to have some independence in their daily life but wants to know they have immediate access to help if they need it? Assisted living could be the best choice in those cases.

In a nutshell, assisted living involves your parent having their own apartment or unit within a facility. Yet, they have access to personal care professionals, and there’s help available for daily activities like grocery shopping and laundry washing.

Final Thoughts

There are several options available for your parent. It’s worth reviewing each one and ensuring your mother or father takes the lead in the decision-making process.