Your Family Has Options For Senior Care – Guest Blogger Harry Cline – www.newcaregiver.org
When it’s time to consider senior living arrangements for a loved one, you are not limited to having them live at home or moving into a nursing home. There are lots of options in between that can cater to a senior’s ever-changing needs. Before you make a drastic decision, however, sit down with your elderly loved one (or, if you are the senior, talk to your adult children). Knowing everyone’s preferences and expectations will help you make a decision that makes sense.
The following information will help you understand the pros and cons of the most common senior housing scenarios.
Independent and assisted living
The terms “independent living” and “assisted living” are often interchanged. However, they are not entirely the same. Independent living communities are set up like planned neighborhoods with a few key differences. Seniors in an independent living community often reside in a single-family home or condominium that they care for themselves. The responsibilities will be limited, and they may not have to bear the burden of mowing the lawn, for example. Independent living is usually restricted to seniors age 55 and up who are in overall good health.
Assisted living offers additional services for seniors that need a helping hand. An assisted living center may be set up more like an apartment or studio complex but will have common areas, a dining hall, and a staff of medically-trained personnel. Assisted living residences are designed to accommodate early cognitive decline, gait disorders, and other senior mobility issues. A senior living in this type of environment would have access to help taking their medication or with caring for their personal belongings, but they also have some degree of self-sufficiency. Both independent and assisted living usually include the use of all facilities and amenities for a single monthly fee. In Naples, this ranges from $1,500 to $7,604 for luxury accommodations. Since services vary from one location to the next, it’s best to tour several in the months leading up to the move.
Aging in place
Aging in place means the senior lives alone in the home of their choosing. Often, this is their current residence, although it is not uncommon for seniors moving to Florida to buy a house in a neighborhood known for its older population. Approximately 16 percent of people living in Sunrise are 65 years or older, according to Neighborhood Scout. This represents the second largest age group in the city, so it should not be difficult to find an area that caters to retirees.
Either option – living at home or buying a new home – requires a lot of foresight. It is entirely possible for seniors to remain safe and independent in their 70s, 80s, and beyond by addressing safety issues now. Home modifications, such as installing a voice-activated security system, adding sturdy rails to stairways, and increasing the lighting throughout the home can all make a big difference.
Moving in with children
Another option is to have your senior family member come home to live with you. Like aging in place, this will require some tweaking of your property, but it can significantly reduce the cost of care. DailyCaring.com asserts that caring for your senior at home gives you a chance to get help from friends and family members and to take advantage of volunteer senior companion services.
As you discuss your options, your senior loved one’s budget, personal preferences, and abilities should be the top considerations. No one will be happy if they feel forced into a situation that they do not want, can’t afford, or cannot live in comfortably. Fortunately, if you do your research and approach your elderly family member with both excitement for the future and compassion for their feelings, you can help them find a home that meets their needs.
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