Growing old is an inevitability of life we all have to face sooner or later. Many of us greet aging with a sullen approach, seeing the loss in vitality and ability of self-expression to be a bane foretelling the tougher times ahead. This is a common misconception because growing old brings with it the bounty of experience and wisdom that grants a deep appreciation of life.
It is true, however, that despite all the happiness to be enjoyed as a senior, there are physical limits and constraints that the body goes through. For a significant majority of people all over the world, complications arising from said physical limits manifest in some kind of disease or condition, that is often generally manageable. Having family and friends around to help goes a long way in maintaining a happy and healthy lifestyle.
What if family and friends want to go the extra mile and have more help available for their loved ones? What if the senior would prefer to seek out professional care services? What if the condition requires more attention? There are several cases relating to questions like these that led to the growth and development of the senior care industry, which provides answers to these questions. For those seeking more intensive services, there are two main options of service provision to choose from: Assisted Living and Home Care.
Assisted Living
Assisted living, also known as boarding homes, congregate housing, and adult congregate care is where your loved one goes to the caregiver. The residence structure is that the senior is set up in a private or shared room, with social interaction with other residents greatly encouraged. The absence of constant supervision or medical treatment creates a less stressful environment, and 24-hour personal assistance through caregivers is available. They help with daily tasks such as grooming, meal services, and medication management. Depending on the facility, extra services such as housekeeping and physical and/or speech therapy may incur an extra cost.
Home Care
For Home Care, (or In-Home Care) the professionals come to the senior’s place of residence. This way, the senior does not have to leave the familiarity and comfort of their long-loved home, while still receiving the care and attention they need. Home care is highly modifiable depending on the type of care required, as is the type of professional providing the services; from licensed medical professionals to personnel assisting with daily living activities.
Which is the better choice?
Choosing between these two options has always been a struggle for the senior’s loved ones. Some factors to consider that can help make the decision less of a challenge include:
- Find out how much help your loved one needs. This will set a significant baseline for professionals you interact with, as you will have narrowed it down to a specific group of needs that require attention, from medical to personal.
- Get estimates and compare costs. Reach out to in-home caregivers and assisted living homes to enquire about their rates and associated services. It is prudent to plan for the long term, in order to come up with a sustainable structure that you won’t have to change or break down the line.
- Social needs. A socially positive environment, where the senior can positively interact with other people goes a long way in their well-being, making it a worthy factor to consider.
- Availability of emergency services. Make sure the structure you choose to set up provides quality emergency services, such as well-equipped ambulances and trained medical staff to deal with the specific complication at hand.
Armed with this information, it will be easier to make informed decisions on how to make the sunset years of your loved one truly shine, thanks to receiving the best type of help that you can provide to them.