Giving Care: Senior & Disabled Caregiver Resource Blog

Elder Care Options: Which Is Best for Your Loved One?

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Wondering how to best take care of your loved one as they age? There are many options available for older adults of various independence levels and medical conditions. Here are nine elder care options that you should consider for your family member:

Aging in Place

If your elderly relative is still able to live independently, and their home is well equipped for it, they may not need to move at all. Instead, they can age in place and have relatives or other loved ones check up on them on a daily basis. Certain changes, such as switching to adaptive clothing, can help them continue to live independently on their own.

New Home

In some cases, your loved one may be able to continue living independently, but their current home is not well-suited to their needs. Maybe they live in a three-story house with stairs, or the floors are all hardwood and create a slipping hazard. While you can renovate the home to make it safer, it may make more financial sense to sell it and move them into an apartment or unit that is already better designed for their needs and more manageable.

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In-Home Care

Sometimes your elderly relative can mostly live on their own in their home, but they still need some support. In that case, hiring some in-care help, such as a home health aide, might be just the ticket. Depending on what type of help you hire, they can assist with anything from personal care activities such as dressing and eating to medical activities such as taking medications.

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Living with Family

If your loved one needs more help with daily activities, and you have the space and bandwidth to help them, then moving them into your home might be the easiest route. You will want a private bedroom and bathroom for your loved one to help both them and you maintain your independence. You also need to consider how much time and energy you can devote to caring for them. If you work full-time, then it might make more sense to find them a facility where they can have round the clock care as it is a major commitment

Independent Living Community

These apartment and condo complexes are designed for older adults who are mostly living independently, but want more amenities within walking distance so they can decrease their driving. This is a good option for older adults who are still able to take care of themselves, but want to live in a community of other people in the same phase of life. It’s also a great place for them to keep up their social life when they are less mobile.

Assisted Living Facility

This type of facility is similar to an independent living community, but it offers more help, such as housekeeping, meals and planned social activities. If your loved one needs help with daily life activities, but doesn’t have a serious medical condition that needs constant management, then you might want to consider an assisted living facility.

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Continuing Care Retirement Communities

These communities offer a wide range of care levels, from independent living to skilled nursing. They can be expensive, especially given the upfront fees, but they also provide security because they promise to take care of your loved one for the rest of their life. If your loved one has the budget and doesn’t want to move again ever, they should look into this.

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Skilled Nursing Facilities

These facilities provide 24/7 medical care, usually administered by registered nurses and aides supervised by doctors. If your loved one needs help managing a serious medical condition, or needs lots of help with daily activities, you might need to move them into a skilled nursing facility. If your loved one is suffering from Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, you might also want to look at a memory care facility, which is specifically designed to cater to those with memory loss and with safety and wellbeing as a top priority.

Care Homes

These are usually formerly private homes that have been converted into a small facility that offers non-stop care for a limited number of older adults. Care homes are sometimes the only option in a smaller town that is not large enough to support an entire skilled nursing facility. If a skilled nursing facility isn’t an option for your loved one, then look for private care homes.

Making small changes, such as switching to adaptive clothing, can help your loved one age in place for longer. At Silverts, we offer a wide range of adaptive clothing to suit many needs, including handicap clothing and recovery wear for after surgery. Order more than $20 and get free shipping on your U.S. order!

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