Many seniors and their families prefer home care over nursing home settings for many reasons, ranging from just a few hours of assistance each week up to 24-hour care depending on your loved one’s individual needs.
Visiting Angels locations provide free in-home assessments to determine the level of care needed and accept long-term care insurance and veteran’s benefits.
In-Home Medical Care
Home health care includes medical services designed to assist patients in managing chronic conditions (such as heart failure, diabetes or HIV/AIDS) as well as recuperate after surgery or illness. Home care may also prevent unnecessary hospitalizations or premature nursing-home admissions.
Transportation services can provide seniors with transportation to doctor appointments, grocery stores and other community locations. Services may be provided by churches, senior housing complexes or public transit agencies and typically involve a monthly fee.
Non-medical home care, also known as companion care, involves workers being paid to provide friendly companionship and assistance with chores, errands and meals. Some home care aides may be covered by insurance such as Medicare and Veteran’s benefits while others must be hired privately. It’s recommended to work with a licensed home care agency that has rigorous vetting standards as well as backup employees should an employee become absent; you can find one by obtaining referrals from friends, family or healthcare professionals.
Assisted Living
Assisted living provides an interim solution for seniors who require some assistance but do not yet require around-the-clock nursing or physician care. Seniors living in assisted-living residences can continue their current tasks such as taking medications and cooking and eating meals independently.
Care packages vary, and it is wise to investigate all available in your region. Most assisted-living facilities are small, private homes which provide care to 20 or fewer residents; you may also find assisted living communities or resorts which offer such care.
If you have concerns about a particular facility, request to see its regulations and resident’s bill of rights. This document should detail residents’ rights such as privacy and being informed about transfers and fee increases; additionally it may list your state’s long-term care ombudsman who can help to resolve issues if necessary.
Senior Communities
Many seniors opt to live in senior communities, also referred to as active adult communities, leisure homes and 55+ neighborhoods. These housing options cater specifically to healthy adults looking for something exciting to keep them busy while being part of a supportive community of similar age. These may include apartment homes, condos and single-family dwellings. Furthermore, certain senior communities even provide on-site health care services should residents require them.
Whoever requires assistance with their daily lives may benefit from choosing a retirement community offering assisted living or memory care. These communities provide residential housing with high levels of assistance such as meal preparation and transportation services; some even feature physical therapists on staff – making these great solutions for older adults who cannot live independently but do not require 24-hour medical care. Furthermore, senior living communities may offer recreational and social activities like exercise classes, swimming pools, craft rooms religious services games tours.
Staying at Home
Staying at home can be an ideal choice for many seniors, but not everyone has the support network needed to make it work. Friends and family may provide assistance with household chores, running errands or simply coming over for visits; while some senior care services also offer personal care such as bathing or dressing assistance.
Assuring seniors’ safety includes installing nightlights and clearing walking paths of rugs or cords. A personal emergency response system such as Comfort Keepers device may also offer immediate help should any urgent assistance be required.
Home care services provide those without access to supportive friends or family a safe haven; some are managed by the Area Agency on Aging while others can be privately run. Ask their doctors for recommendations as well as local organizations such as religious groups or senior centers which cater specifically to older adults.