How Families Can Assist with Caregiving for Seniors

 

Unfortunately, it is often the case that the burden of care for a senior, falls to one member of the family. However, it is possible - and even necessary - that all members help so that one person does not become burnt out. Try and schedule a family meeting when care first becomes necessary so that all can see what needs to be done. 

Encourage all to voice their concerns, make suggestions and give advice. Ask them to take responsibility for one area each; that way, the burden is shared and becomes much easier. Some can take care of the mowing and gardening, others can do the housework and/or cooking while another can be responsible for taking the senior to appointments.

Seniors should also have something to say about who will do what if possible. In some cases this won’t be possible and in other cases their suggestions may cause ill will or hardship. For example, they could want their favorite child to do everything, or the one who lives furthest away to visit most often. In this case simply explain kindly who is able to do which task and why.

The person in the family who lives the closest will naturally be the one who does the daily tasks, but that doesn’t mean that she should do them all the time. Each person may need a break and so the tasks could be swapped around if other family members agree.

Those who are the closest should all have access keys and know where important documents are kept in case of emergencies. If all the family lives too far away, then there are three choices. The senior goes to live with some of the family, the senior lives at an assisted living facility, or they stay at home and depend on the care offered by government programs. 

These are quite diverse and can included assistance with providing meals and transport, health care appointments, help with shopping and community nursing care. The family really needs to get involved with the care or at least with arranging for care, so they know what is going on and if anything else needs to be done.  Eventually finances will need to be attended to and bills will need paying.

Luckily, these days there cell phones and the Internet to keep in contact and you can even shop online and have goods delivered straight to the senior’s front door.

Should you require the additional professional assistance of a memory care facility, contact Applewood Our House.

What is an Assisted Living Care Home?

 An assisted living care home is an option for seniors, who cannot fully take care of themselves. They can receive daily grooming, receive food, join other seniors for activities, and most importantly, live in a secure environment.

Difference Between Assisted Living Care and Nursing Home Care

There are many ways that you can differentiate between an assisted living care home and an assisted living vs. nursing home. In general terms, most tend to classify assisted living as places where seniors have more independence than a nursing home. While they may seem similar, there are some significant differences to learn between these two categories of facilities.

Nursing homes, on the other hand, are typically for older adults who have a difficult time staying independent, who need constant care and have difficulty moving from one room to the next. Nursing homes typically provide a complete set of services to residents such as medical assistance, emotional support, etc. Whereas assisted living homes generally provide primary care.

It is often the case that assisted living care homes are cheaper than nursing home options. Many people find that living in an assisted living environment makes more sense than living in a nursing home. 

An assisted living environment and an independent residence can vary significantly in the type of services that are offered and in cost. Make sure that you know what type of environment you want to live, and compare prices to see which one works best for you.

There are many options for seniors who would like to stay in an assisted living facility. For example, there are assisted living communities where you have the opportunity to visit with other family members in your loved one's home. There are also assisted living facilities where you have the option to share space with other senior residents.

The best way to locate an assisted living home is to learn what the facilities offer and find out how you can get the best prices.