Life moves fast as you look back on all the things you’ve done. Before you know it, you look next to you and your loved ones have grown older. Tasks take a bit more effort for them, and maybe their memory isn’t what it used to be. As much as we hate to think about the future regarding our loved ones, there comes a point where you have to plan for will happen for when their health declines.
There are many signs that your elderly loved one may need some extra help with everyday tasks. Reduced mobility, vision, and memory are all common signs of aging, but that doesn’t mean that they need help. You’ve got to look deeper behind those signs and ask yourself the hard questions. Is the home safe if those worsen? Are you, family members, or friends close enough to help out on a daily basis? Complex medical schedules, signs of depression, sudden weight loss, recent injury, or a noticeable lack of self-care suggests that they need some assistance.
If you’ve come to the conclusion that you need to seek help from outside your circle of family and friends, there are different senior care options based on what each individual needs.
Home Care – Home care is typically a temporary situation due to illness or surgery recovery, and it put in place by a doctor. The individual will receive professional care while they remain in the comfort of their own home. Home health aides can also relieve primary caregiver stress and come to the home when it is convenient to the family to help with everyday tasks.
Adult Day Care – Adult day care is a great option for those of you that are the primary caretaker of your senior loved ones and can’t afford residential care for them. This option can provide structure to the individuals everyday lives, and help alleviate feelings of isolation, anxiety, and depression. Many adult day care programs provide a midday meal, as well as a variety of social activities, outings, and healthcare.
Assisted Living – If your loved one needs assistance with daily living tasks, such as laundry, dressing, or transportation, an assisted living facility would be a great option. It is a long-term residential option, and it allows seniors to remain their independence while still living in a safe environment with around the clock security and care. Assisted living facilities offer a range of social activities and events for residents to participate in, and it comes with a more communal vibe to make individuals feel more welcome and at home.
Nursing Home – Nursing homes are residential care options for individuals that need around the clock medical care. Stays can be long-term or short-term for anyone requiring preventive, therapeutic, or rehabilitative care.
You want to find a facility that best meets your loved one’s needs, and you want them to be happy and comfortable. When the time comes to begin the search, be sure to include your loved one in on the process. If you’ve decided to go with a residential facility, this will become their new home; allowing them to help make decisions will play a huge roll in how they cope with the change.
The best way to find the right facility is to visit them. When you’re there in person, you’ll be able to tell how clean it really, is, how welcoming the common areas are, how the staff interacts with residents, and ask any questions. You might what to clarify what you’re paying for, or maybe you want to know specific questions about what your loved one will be able to bring with them. Take notes, compare facilities, and choose one that feels right.
The cost of senior care varies depending on where you live, as well as how much care is needed for your loved one. Nursing homes provide the most care, making them the most expensive option; however, the cost of placing a loved one in a nursing home in Alabama is well below the national average. Alabama also has the lowest average cost for skilled nursing when compared to its neighboring states. If you need more information on the cost of senior care in Alabama, you can visit caring.com for more!
