| As people age they often require increased | | | | There is also the problem-what if the in home care |
| assistance in everyday activities. Decisions on what is | | | | person gets sick, quits or just doesn't show up one |
| the best type of care for a senior can be difficult | | | | day? |
| and often complicated. Here is help on how to decide | | | | Using assisted living options is an alternative if it is not |
| between assisted living or senior care in their home. | | | | appropriate to continue in-home care. There are a |
| The choices between assisted living professionally at | | | | range of levels of care offered, from very minimal up |
| a nursing home or relying on care in the home can be | | | | to full care. If family is located away from the senior |
| an agonizing choice for the family of a senior. There | | | | then assisted living options offer an immediate |
| are pros and cons to both options and they should | | | | advantage in that there is always some level of care |
| be carefully considered before an arrangement is in | | | | and protection being provided to the senior without |
| place. | | | | the need for family carers to become involved. |
| One of the first considerations to make is why the | | | | In retirement villages, care is often quite minimal but |
| care is necessary and whether degenerative | | | | the units offer a senior some back up in case of |
| conditions may eventually reach a point where in | | | | acute health issues. Most come with panic buttons in |
| home care is almost impossible. | | | | the main areas like bathroom and living areas, and |
| If so, then it might be worth considering an earlier | | | | offer social activities while providing a sense of |
| move to assisted living when the senior in question | | | | privacy. However it is possible for this lifestyle to |
| can have some influence and power over the | | | | become quite insular, with the senior becoming less |
| decision on where to go and services they would like | | | | likely to venture outside the village. It's a really good |
| to have provided. | | | | first step in care but it has to be appropriate. |
| Some of the advantages to in home care for seniors | | | | If your senior needs more specialized or regular |
| include their familiarity in the environment, the | | | | attention then high level assisted living may be the |
| comfort of their belongings and space and the ability | | | | option for them. This involves living within rooms |
| to hire nursing staff that can make in-home visits | | | | which may be single or shared depending on the |
| when you're not available. | | | | facility, and offer 24 hour nursing staff with doctors |
| There are disadvantages though and these include | | | | on call. |
| the limitations on family members who may take on | | | | Overall you need to look at the immediate and |
| a lot of the regular activities such as cleaning and | | | | expected future needs, and decide what options are |
| cooking. There are costs associated with hiring | | | | going to work both now and in the future. Often |
| nursing staff and limits to when they are available to | | | | families will employ in home care to begin with for a |
| come into the home. If there are no family members | | | | period of time until it is no longer appropriate but it |
| nearby then it can be difficult to ensure adequate | | | | can be important to have plans in place before the |
| care is taken and that the senior is remaining able to | | | | time comes to increase supervision and access to |
| care for themselves when alone. | | | | medical care. |