Have you recently thought about getting extra daily assistance for a loved one? This subject alone may be hard to bring up. Avoid caregiver burnout and make it easier by knowing and understanding your options. The decision you have to make is between home care and a senior living community. Both have individual benefits depending on their preferred lifestyle.
Home Care: Pay For What You Need
With home care, a trained care practitioner will come to the home and make sure your loved one’s personal needs are met. This can include making sure medications and prescriptions are on time, as well as helping provide daily personal care. Home care services can also incorporate help with light housekeeping, running errands, meal prep and other daily needs.
The challenge with home care is you have to purchase based on the time you need for your loved one. Options include morning, afternoon and evening care services. You can also opt into 24-hour care services. The more time you need the more it will cost. The price of home care also does not include daily living expenses, bills and home maintenance. Home care can be a great option if minimal assistance is needed or if it’s for a short-term time frame.
Senior Living: All-Inclusive
Senior living can offer options at every stage of your loved one’s needs. Whether they just need help with some personal care needs, daily meal prep or full memory care options, senior living can offer a great alternative to home care. Long gone are the days of the nursing home, senior living communities provide an all-inclusive lifestyle that provides fun, care and everything your loved one needs to live a fulfilled life. You can rest easy knowing that they are cared for as well as making new friends and exploring their town.
SEE: Our Cost Comparison Sheet
How to Decide:
This decision is not something that’s easy to rush into, so take your time and go over all of your questions. Try visiting friends that have made the transition into senior living, they can give you real insight on their experiences. You could also try taking a tour of a community that you are interested in and ask about care services, activities, amenities and more.
Being proactive is always better than being reactive. Remember, you are looking out for yourself and your loved one, so make sure they are happy and cared for no matter what happens.
How to Talk to Your Loved One:
This conversation can be hard to begin alone, so bring other family members with you. Remind your loved one that they are a part of the decision. One of the biggest concerns about moving to a senior community is feeling like you’ve lost your independence. It’s important to make the conversation an opening for other conversations. Pushing your loved one to make a decision right here, right now, will push them away faster.
How to Start the Transition
Independence Village is a senior living community that will provide services for you and your loved one. Speak to one of our Community Specialists about visiting one of our local communities. Our specialists are knowledgeable and have answers to every question you or your loved one have. Contact us at 1-844-40-ENJOY to schedule an appointment.
