
Senior Care Services Offer Something For Everyone
When you are considering senior care for a loved one, you have many different options to choose from, depending on the level of assistance needed, your geographical area, and your budget. The most important consideration, however, is what will make your loved one the most comfortable and provide them with the services they need. Here are a few of the typical arrangements you may wish to consider:
In-Home Services
Most people feel best when they are in their own home. If circumstances allow, you can choose from many different types of in-home senior care services. Businesses may specialize in the following services:
- Routine daily needs: Staff may provide transportation to help with errands, doctor appointments, and grocery shopping, or provide assistance with household chores such as laundry, light housekeeping, and meal preparation. These agencies may not have medical personnel on staff, so be sure to ask if they provide such assistance when you contact them.
- Medical needs: Many services have certified personnel who can help patients with minor medical needs, such as ensuring that medication is taken correctly, coordinating treatments with the family doctor, and regularly monitoring the patient’s heart rate, blood pressure, and other vital signs.
- 24-hour services: Some services will provide multiple personnel who visit in shifts so that the patient receives constant attention. This may be ideal for a person who does not necessarily need the Reliable and Considerate Senior Moving Services attention of a nursing facility, but can still benefit from being monitored so, for example, they don’t wander off or leave the stove on.
- Hospice: This type of service is sought after when a patient is near the end of their life due to a terminal illness. These professionals will come to a person’s home to manage the physical and emotional needs of the patient and their family.
Assisted Living Facilities
There is a wide range of assisted living facilities available today. Many older people choose to move into such facilities just to be a part of a similar community. Large campuses offer senior care options for:
- Independent living: Apartments or townhomes are available that allow seniors to live on their own, and simply provide the benefit of offering services that are important to them in a close geographical area.
- Assisted living: Elderly patients who need more attention for their medical needs can still feel like they are living somewhat independently, but with the peace of mind that comes from knowing that trained medical personnel are available to make sure medications are taken and any illnesses are promptly addressed.
- If the patient requires hospice, many facilities allow hospice caregivers to care for the patient in the facility, just as if it was their home.
Nursing Homes
It may be necessary to consider a nursing home if your loved one is physically unable to live on their own. This type of senior care may be needed if the patient:
- Has difficulty walking and is unable to use a wheelchair.
- Has difficulty communicating.
- Sleeps most of the time because of medications or illness.
- Needs frequent medical attention or therapy that requires almost constant supervision.