Photo by Kampus Production
Discussing your parents’ relocation to an environment that supports their quality of life and provides the care and support they need can be a challenging conversation. While much of the older generation can and should reside in their own homes, for some, this isn’t something they want to do or are even capable of. Finding the right living situation for their needs is a significant decision. And it can be made even more difficult in the event of others having to take control and make the decisions.
However, whether you’re considering options alongside your parents or doing so on their behalf for any reason, you need to know what type of care options are available for your parents and what they offer. Let’s take a look at some.
Independent Living
Independent living communities are essentially small, exclusive communities that offer seniors the opportunity to live independently alongside others. They offer a great social network and often have many on-site amenities, such as fitness centres, libraries, and communal dining areas, allowing them to get on with their lives and be as active and engaged as they want to be. There will usually be on-site medical care if required, and other services residents can access too.
Assisted Living
Assisted living options are designed for individuals who require assistance with certain day-to-day activities but don’t require intensive care, such as that provided in a nursing home. It is a hybrid of independent living and nursing, and the type of assistance offered is tailored to the resident’s needs, ensuring a high level of personalised care.
Essentially, care workers and staff look after every resident according to their physical and mental needs. Assisted living can offer memory care services for people living with conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s. Additionally, respite care, a form of short-term care, is designed to provide relief for caregivers in various environments to meet their needs and understand the challenges they face.
Nursing Homes
Nursing homes are accommodations that provide care delivered by specialised nurses who can offer medical care. They are the perfect senior living arrangement for people who need additional help with medical conditions, who might not get the attention they need when living alone, or who have mobility and mental health conditions that make independent living dangerous.
Nursing homes are group living facilities where all residents have their own living quarters and communal areas where they can socialise as needed while still receiving the medical assistance they require.
Residential Care Homes
Residential care homes are similar to nursing homes, but they do not offer 24/7 dedicated nursing care. They offer support and assistance with daily living needs and help with tasks such as washing, bathing, hygiene, eating, and more. Those day-to-day tasks that a home help or caregiver would deliver if you used these services when living at home are on offer in residential care homes, but with a more permanent presence. There will be more basic healthcare available, but you will receive the same level of assistance for medical conditions as you would in a nursing home.
