Home Care or Senior Community? Which is Best for Your Love One?

Article Summary

This article provides an overview of the different types of long-term care facilities available for those who need assistance with day-to-day activities, as well as the advantages of in-home care.

Key takeaways:

1. Long-term care facilities provide a safe and comfortable setting with professional oversight.
2. In-home care is an alternative to a long-term care facility, particularly when the loved one is partially self-sufficient.
3. There are a variety of long-term care facilities available, depending on the needs of the loved one.

Introduction

When a loved one can no longer take care of themselves and needs assistance with day-to-day activities such as eating, bathing, and using the restroom, you may face a decision to put your loved one in a long-term care facility. This decision can be heartbreaking, but it is important to remember that by doing so, you are ensuring their safety in a comfortable setting with professional oversight. Further, your health and livelihood are equally as important and must be prioritized. Remember, you are not alone - millions of family caregivers around the country make the same decision every day.

When to consider long-term care

• Caregiving is too demanding or conflicts with work and other obligations
• Loved one wanders or demonstrates other unsafe behavior
• You live far away from your loved one

Consider in-home care

If you are unable to provide care to your loved one, you also may want to consider in-home care as an alternative to a long-term care facility, particularly when your loved one is partially self-sufficient.

Below are some advantages of in-home care:

• Ability to still spend time with them
• Removes the burden of care from you; ability to rest

Types of long-term care facilities

There a wide variety of long-term care facilities, depending on the needs of your loved one.

Independent living

• For seniors who are self-sufficient with only a minimal need for medical or personal care.
• Offers the ability to socialize and participate in recreational activities with their peers

Assisted living

• For seniors who are partially self-sufficient but need help with daily activities.
• 24-hr supervision is provided. These include assistance with daily activities and healthcare services
• Activities include: eating, using the bathroom, bathing, medication, housekeeping, dressing

Residential care homes

• Private homes where a group of residents are cared for by live-in caregivers
• A more private, community-like analog of assisted living
• Offers the ability to socialize and participate in recreational activities with their peers
• Activities: daily activities, varies by home

Alzheimer's care

• For seniors living with dementia or Alzheimer's
• 24-hr support with structures activities
• Usually offered in assisted living facility and less often in nursing homes

Nursing homes

• For seniors in need of constant care and lack the ability to live independently
• Trained professional staff provide care and assistance with daily activities
• Residents typically share a room and dine in a common area
• Activities include: daily activities, healthcare services, rehab services, recreational activities

Author Bio

TJ Falohun, co-founder and CEO of Olera, is a trained biomedical engineer passionate about developing novel digital health and medical technologies. His passion for innovative solutions drives him to write about the cost of healthcare in America and to revolutionize the senior healthcare industry.