This informative article was contributed to Leisure Freak by Holly Klamer. We all should understand the care options available to us as we and our parents age. 

Parents are the one who enlightens us in every walk of our lives. They try to comfort us every possible way during our growing up. However, when they reach old age, it takes a toll on their ability to take proper care of even their own daily needs. It is always very tough to think that your parents can no longer take care of themselves.

Usually, in this situation, it is the family caregivers who commit themselves to help and comfort the old parents. Still, it is hard for family caregivers to take personal care of the parents as they also have other responsibilities and jobs. Furthermore, in old age, people suffer from several health complications that require special assistance.

Fortunately, there are varied types of elderly care facilities to help you find the definitive solution for your lovely old parents.

Types of Elderly Care

There are several types of elderly supervision prevailing from which you need to contemplate the precise requirements for your old parents.

It depends upon the specific needs and preferences and, most importantly, the health conditions of the elderly to choose the right care. There are mainly two types of care – Skilled care and Custodial care. Skilled care includes medical therapies and nursing, whereas custodial care is non-medical assistance to help the elderly in their ADL.

    *Residential Care Homes:

Residential care homes are for those elders who want to have a homely feel. In this type of private home, your elderly ones will dwell like they used to do in their own home.

The caregivers of the private care home provide custodial assistance to the seniors in their daily living activities like housekeeping, laundry, meal preparation, bathing, and dressing.

   *In-home Caregivers

Home health care is doctor-prescribed medical care. The professionals cure the illness, administer injections and medical equipment.

It includes medical assistance like skilled nursing, palliative care, and hospice care.

   *Assistive Living Communities:

A supportive or assisted living community helps those elders who do not need custodial help for 24*7.

Here, the elders live in an apartment with enough scope to socialize and participate in various recreational activities. The staff members will be present all the time to take care of their daily necessities.

This community also includes Alzheimer’s care facilities for seniors. The seniors receive licensed nursing and personal care for their well-being.

   *Nursing Home And Skilled Nursing

Nursing homes are for seniors who have health complications and, thus, requires all-round the clock assistance.

Here the residents share rooms with others and eat meals at the central dining room. A medical professional team, including therapists and nurses, are available 24*7 in their assistance.

   *Senior Independent Living Communities:

Retirement communities are commonly known as Senior Independent living communities. These types of complexes are for those seniors who do not need custodial services and can manage their daily living skills. Side by side, they wish to live an independent life in a community along with their peers.

These complexes have private flats in different sizes with amenities and enjoyable activities for its residents. The seniors also get daily meals, housekeeping, and transportation services upon request.

   *Specialized Non-Medical Care

Some seniors dealing with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson, disability or multiple disabilities, surgery need care but not necessarily a licensed medical team. These seniors get assistance from specialized non-medical caregivers.

The caregivers are specially trained and experienced to look after the seniors dealing with any of the complications mentioned above.

   *Memory Care Community

Memory care communities are communities that cater to the needs of dementia and Alzheimer’s patients. By providing Alzheimer’s and dementia care, they can help slow down the mental decline associated with various forms of dementia. These communities concentrate on having a secure environment that prevents wandering, and typically have many different programs to stimulate mental activity for their residents. Many communities use innovative tools such as pet or music therapy to help dementia patients.

   *Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC)

Also known as Life Plan Community, a continuing care community is a retirement community where independent living, assistive living, and nursing care are under the same campus. The seniors move at CCRC till their last breath. If the senior suffers from any major illness or injury, then the senior can return after recovery from the hospital.

   *Companion Care

The seniors need a companion as we get busy in our job. To fill that space, the companion caregivers build rapport with the seniors and then provide them with emotional support.

Choose The Best Elder Care Option

We know you often ponder over how to empower your elder ones with the best care options. First, you need to figure out the type of assistance your elders need or wish to have.

Think of the basic daily activities where they require assistance. You must check if they need specialized health care or independent living with little assistance or just everyday check-in care services. It will ensure to find out the level of the aid the elders’ need.

After all this, you need to quest for the best care service for the elderly. While selecting senior assisted living homes and facilities, make sure you appoint a licensed and insured center.

Remember, both the care agency and caregiver should be knowledgeable and experienced in dealing with similar types of cases in the past. Analyze the information about their charges and screening process. You can also interview them to choose the most suitable caregiver.

Conclusion

There are many senior living options, including assistive care homes for the elderly. Choose the service complimenting the specific needs of your parents. Also, involve your parents in the process and counsel them that you are not taking them away from their home or your heart. Prepare yourself for an emotional conversation. Once you and your parents determine whether to go for in-home service, assisted living, or nursing homes, take the next step to appoint. Do not forget your parents deserve care and happiness.

Author bio:

 Holly Klamer is a seasoned writer who loves to create content related to aging issues and everything to do with senior living. She is a frequent contributor to many top online publications including Assisted Living Near Me, where she creates content that is specific to assisted living for older adults, as well as SeniorLivingFacilities.net, where she writes about common issues affecting senior citizens and provides senior living advice.