(Updated: 24 May 2023)
Senior citizens reach a point in their lives when they are no longer able to care for themselves. Whether this is a result of physical or mental decline, they are unable to perform daily tasks such as cooking, cleaning, bathing, dressing, or taking medication.
In such circumstances, it is essential for seniors and their families to make the decision to transition into the care of a professional, fully equipped, and well-resourced frail care or assisted living facility. However, choosing the right type of facility will depend entirely on the level of care your loved one needs.
Here are a few things you should know about frail care:
What is frail care?
Frail care is designed to be a long-term living solution for seniors that have suffered some kind of health incident where they are no longer able to care for themselves. These health incidents can range from a heart attack, stroke, bad fall, or mental health decline, all of which can be a requisite for more acute hospital care.
Frail care can provide around-the-clock access to the health care services that these seniors need and can become a permanent home where the level of care is necessary and beneficial to those who live in them.
What are the benefits of frail care?
Frail care can provide many benefits for those who find themselves in need of extra care. These benefits include helping seniors maintain their independence and dignity, it can provide them with social and emotional support, and can help improve the quality of life not only for the senior receive the care, but also peace of mind to the loved ones.
The types of frail care services will differ across retirement villages!
While most retirement estates are intended to meet the needs of older people generally, frail care facilities, services and level of care will vary from one community to another. For example, some retirement estates will offer basic frail care or caregiving services, where a caregiver will help their community members with daily tasks, such as cooking, bathing, laundry, cleaning, and even taking medication.
Whereas other retirement estates may have a more sophisticated and better-staffed frail care facility that could include part-time or full-time medical staff, a pharmacy, surgical theatres for urgent care and life support equipment.
Some retirement estates may also offer independent or assisted living facilities with healthcare access or specialised facilities for mental illness, in addition to their frail care wings. With different types of frail care and healthcare options available to seniors at retirement estates, it is crucial that you look for the best option that meets the needs of your loved one before making a decision.
What are the challenges associated with frail care?
As with all areas of healthcare and assisted living when it comes to our senior citizens, there are many challenges. In the case of frail care, the challenges often focus on the financial aspect to level of care.
Frail care can be seen as very expensive and medical aid schemes are notorious for their fine print. In the case of senior health care, there is an unforgiving difference in the way that health insurance companies define medical care versus frail care.
In the type of health incidents, we covered earlier, short-term healthcare provision may be covered, but only for a limited time. If you suffer a stroke, heart attack or broken hip, they will cover your immediate medical care which does not include assisted living or frail care if that is what you require after recovery.
When it comes to level of care, finding the right frail care or assisted living facility has its’ own challenges. This can be seen when seniors have complex health needs that require a lot of time and attention which is not easy to provide or sustain in a busy hospital or nursing home environment.
This is where research is key, here are a few things to consider:
- What type of assistance does your loved one need?
- What are the costs involved for frail care or assisted living?
- Is the facility well-staffed, properly vetted, and qualified?
- Are existing residents happy with the level of care?
- Is the facility able to properly care for your loved ones needs?
Is home-based care a better alternative than frail care?
When we think of home-based care, we think of a part-time or live-in caregiver that is able to help our loved one better manage their day-to-day tasks in a familiar environment. This definitely sounds better and more cost-effective than the alternative, which is moving your frail loved one into an unfamiliar environment, surrounded by medical staff.
However, home-based care can become a cost-prohibitive process and access to high-level medical care is limited. It is also important to include additional costs such as transport, groceries, housekeeping, hospital stays, and at-home GP visits on top of the monthly caregiver salary in order to gain a clearer understanding of the financial implications of home-based care.
Home-based care can be a viable option if your loved one does not require complex care. If they do, then for thousands of rand less, your loved ones can get the full-time care they deserve with medical professionals and facilities accessible in the retirement village they choose.
Making the decision to move into a retirement estate
Deciding to move into a retirement estate’s assisted living or frail care facility is life-changing decision for seniors and should not be taken lightly. It should be a considered and thoughtful family decision that takes into account the needs and feelings of our loved ones.
Choosing the right retirement estate – with all the requisite facilities and resources – is critical to ensuring the best quality of life, wellbeing, and care for our beloved elderly members of society.
If you are looking for a retirement village, with frail care or assisted living facilities, that are fully staffed and equipped by health professionals and caregivers who are committed to the health and happiness of their community, look no further than Manor Retirement.
