Everyone has different needs when it comes to assisted living and in-home care. When you have an aging parent that needs more help with their life than you can provide, it might be time to consider assisted care, elder care, and other services that can offer the support that your loved one needs and take the burden off your shoulders.
24-hour assisted living care services are available at facilities around the country, but did you know that you can also get these services in the comfort of your home? If your parent or loved one isn’t ready to give up their independence or their home of the last 30 years, that’s okay. You can choose in-home care services and still get the same round-the-clock care and support they need right in the comfort of their home.
Let’s talk a little more about all of the different types of assisted living options that are out there today.
What is Assisted Living?
Assisted living refers to any service that helps older or differently-abled adults in their day-to-day lives. Most people think of assisted living facilities in this case, which is one option. These facilities provide a more independent living option with more privacy. Some even have private condos or apartments for the residents but are staffed with medical professionals and elder care experts to assist around the clock.
Assisted living services can be scaled to any need. There is everything from in-home occasional care and monitored private living (senior apartments) to full-service facilities that handle every aspect of day-to-day care and management for the residents. What your loved one needs may be different, so be sure to explore all of the options out there before making a decision.
What are the Different Types of Elder Care Services?
There are several ways to help older adults who need assistance with various aspects of daily life. As mentioned above, there is a service for almost every level of care needed as people age or otherwise struggle to handle their own daily care. Some people might have medical conditions that impact the care they need, too. Regardless, you can find elder care services available that include:
- In-home care, which could include cooking, cleaning, medication management, hygiene, emotional care, and skilled nursing care.
- Assisted living facilities, which offer semi-private living with assistive staff on hand at all times for residents.
- Adult day programs and daycare centers that can keep adults busy and engaged during the day.
- Independent living facilities.
- Nursing homes that provide full care for residents.
- Memory care facilities that focus specifically on providing quality of life for those with dementia and other memory loss issues related to age.
- Continuum of Care facilities aimed at ending homelessness among the senior community by providing housing and other assistance.
What’s it Like to Move Into an Assisted Living Community?
When you choose a good community, moving into assisted living can be a great transition. Instead of your aging parent seeing it as losing their independence, they can see it as a chance to start a new phase of their life. They will be able to have a lot of peers and potential friends nearby, with a community right in the building at all times.
Those who struggle with loneliness love the idea of assisted living communities because there are so many other people around all the time. Plus, they can still have their privacy when they want it. When your parent or loved one moves into these communities, they will be treated as a resident in their new home, not a patient in a facility, and it will be ensured that everything is in order.
Moving into assisted living is a hopeful time for most. As they get settled and see the various activities and events going on in the facility, as well as the potential for a more engaged, enjoyable future, they will quickly realize that they made the right decision. Assisted living might not be for everyone, but when you need 24-hour monitoring or care for your aging parent, it’s probably the best option for all involved.
At Heidi’s Haven, we offer assisted living and other elder care services with 24-hour care and solutions for all ages and stages of life’s second act. We can meet with you to discuss your needs for assisted living care and find out how we can help. Call us today to schedule your appointment and learn more.
Resources
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/residential-facilities-assisted-living-and-nursing-homes
https://www.brightstarcare.com/home-care/types-of-care/24-hour-live-in-care
https://www.cdc.gov/aging/publications/features/lonely-older-adults.html
