There comes a time in every senior caregiver’s life when we must consider more support for our aging loved one. There are a variety of senior care options designed to meet the changing needs of older adults. The following is a list of each type of senior care along with a helpful description of the care provided:
Independent Living Communities
Independent living communities, also known as retirement communities or active adult communities, are designed for seniors who are relatively healthy and independent. These communities are a popular type of senior care and provide housing options such as apartments, condominiums, or houses, along with various amenities and services tailored to the needs and preferences of older adults. This environment allows older individuals to live, maintenance-free but continue to enjoy their independence.
In-Home Senior Care
Many seniors have a desire to stay in their home as long as possible. This is a viable option, but safety considerations must be made along the way, including the option of hiring an in-home caregiver. This type of senior care allows the elderly to remain in their own homes while receiving assistance with daily activities. In-home caregivers can provide companionship care, help with personal hygiene, meal preparation, medication reminders, light housekeeping, and transportation.
Assisted Living
Assisted living facilities offer a combination of housing, personal care, and senior care support services. This option might be a good fit for long distance caregivers that cannot be with their loved on in their home as often as they’d like. These individuals may have some medical needs but do not require extensive care or supervision. Assisted living facilities provide seniors with assistance in activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, medication management, meals, and social activities. The community environment, offered by assisted living, can provide some social engagement and recreational activities that many seniors crave. These facilities offer varying levels of care based on individual needs, both medical & non-medical. Our Family Choice program provides you with a Certified Senior Advisor to help you navigate the process of selecting and applying to an Assisted Living facility, all at no-charge to you.
Skilled Nursing Facilities
Skilled nursing facilities, also known as nursing homes, provide round-the-clock medical care and supervision for seniors with complex medical conditions or those who need rehabilitative services. This environment provides skilled nursing care, assistance with daily activities, medication management, therapy services, and specialized care for individuals with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. SNFs can provide short-term, most often related to a hospital discharge, rehabilitative situation as well as long term care options.
Memory Care
Memory care is specifically designed for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or other memory-related conditions who can no longer age in place safely, even with the help of an in-home dementia caregiver. These specialized facilities provide a safe and structured environment, along with staff trained in dementia care who can support the unique needs of individuals with cognitive impairment.
Hospice Care
Hospice care focuses on providing compassionate end-of-life care for individuals with a terminal illness. It aims to enhance quality of life by addressing physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. Hospice caregivers can provided care in home, in a hospice facility, or in a hospital.
Respite Care
Respite care offers short-term relief to primary senior caregivers by providing temporary care for their loved ones. While this type of senior care isn’t well known, It can be arranged in various settings, care in home, care in an assisted living facility, or care in a specialized respite care center. Respite care allows caregivers to take a break with the peace of mind that their loved ones are receiving proper
care and supervision.
It’s important to assess the specific needs and preferences to determine the most appropriate type of senior care service for them. To make an informed decision, engage your loved one’s doctors, therapists, anyone of their care team to develop an accurate assessment of their ability to care for themselves and what deficiencies might exist. We also have a free Family Planner Tool to help you determine which care environment may be best for your loved one.