A
loved one has been in your care for several weeks, months or years
but something has changed. Perhaps he has become more ill, you have
acquired more responsibilities outside the home, or there has been
multiple falls and increased disorientation.
Whatever
the reason, you begin to know that you need to look into different
living arrangements. There are over 100 communities which serve
Senior adults in the extended Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill
triangle area. Which are the best communities for your loved one? The
"best" community is one that meets your loved one’s
unique requirements which include amount of care needed, health
status, proximity to family members, and financial resources.
Let’s
take a look at what kind senior living options are available.
Independent
Living
People
who can function independently and but desire to reduce/eliminate
home maintenance activities and chores look into independent living
options. These include
deeded homes, senior living apartments or
independent living communities. They may or may not include amenities
such as transportation assistance and planned activities.
Assisted
Living
If
you need help with activities of daily living, you will be looking into assisted living facilities.
These will provide help with meals, bathing, dressing, housekeeping.
Shared or private rooms are available. Cost will depend on type of
room and level of care. Most also provide planned activities for
their residents. Optional services often available are hair salon,
therapy, massage or one-on-one care.
Alzheimer's
& Dementia Care
For
those suffering from Alzheimer's or other types of dementia or memory
loss, an
assisted living arrangement will be needed; but the
shared or private room is in a "secured" or memory unit
community. These units provide higher level of care and security with
meals, bathing, dressing, and mentally stimulating activities. Cost
depends on type of room and potential level of care.
Residential
Care Homes
Similar
to assisted living, except you live in a private house (typically in
a sub division) converted for shared use. Homes vary in services
provided and typically house three to eight residents. There are approximately 25 residential care homes in
Raleigh alone.
Skilled
Nursing Care
Long
term nursing homes provide assistance in activities of daily living
and access to 24/7 nursing care. Facilities are structured like a
hospital as opposed to a home with on-site physicians and physical
therapy. Additional services may be available like hair salon and
various types of activities.
Continuing
Care Retirement Community
A
senior community for those who wish to remain in the same community
as their health care needs change with age. These places provide
housing transitions from independent living all the way to skilled
nursing, if required. All housing is typically in same community, so
seniors remain in familiar surroundings with access to multiple
services. Requires long term contract or "buy-in" to locate
within the community.
Respite
Care
Facility
care given to a resident to provide short term relief (or during
vacation) for primary caregivers. Shared or private room in assisted
living or memory care, or nursing home communities. Your stay can be
for a couple of days, a week, a month or more.
Cost depends on
type of room and level of care.
Does
reading all these options overwhelm? How do you find these facilities
and know if they are a good fit for your loved one? You can always
research using the internet, yellow pages and/or word of mouth. All
that requires time, patience and navigating unfamiliar information
which may be conflicting. You can also use a paid finder service,
which charges you or your loved one for their information.
Always
Best Care provides FREE to-you personalized finder services. ABC Care
Coordinators meet with you in person to gain understanding of your
needs in detail. We utilize information from our private database
and knowledge of local resources to set up tours of facilities.
We
accompany you on your tours to help you ask questions and best
decide what meets your loved ones' needs. Always Best Care welcomes
your calls to help your family in the challenge of caring for an elder loved one. (919) 724-4297
"Home is where the heart is" but home is also where, according to Health.com 8 million Americans lose their balance and fall. Senior adults are particularly at risk because they may have impaired vision, and a variety of musculoskeletal issues, like bone loss and osteoporosis. No matter your age, nothing interrupts your holiday celebration like a run to the emergency room.
