When the time comes for our loved ones to move into a care facility, we want to make the right choice and find the perfect solution for them. It is important to understand what type of care our loved one requires and what facilities are best suited to meet their personal and medical needs. There are a range of options that are offered by today’s retirement communities to meet those needs.
Depending on their physical and mental condition, they may require assisted living, dementia or, even, frail care to assist in performing daily tasks, keeping up with medical needs and personal care. The fact that senior citizen’s physical and mental health decline over time, as a natural part of life, does not mean they cannot still live a fulfilling and joyful life, surrounding by loved ones and community.
Here are four questions you should ask yourself when deciding which type of care facility is best suited for our elderly loved ones:
- What is offered by assisted living?
Assisted living offers senior citizens the opportunity to live in their own apartment, with access to health services and personal assistance; all within a communal environment. Retirement villages provide assisted living solutions that are ideal for elderly loved ones who need some help with daily activities without the need for constant medical care. If an older member of society is still capable of enjoying a variety of social and recreational activities, they should have every opportunity to do so.This gives them a chance to live a full and active life while maintaining access to the assistance they need. These private accommodations provide daily assistance with tasks like bathing, cooking, cleaning, medication management and other household chores. All of this occurs in an environment with people in a similar life stage and a wide range of activities to spend their days enjoying.
- What is offered by dementia care?
Seniors who require more consistent care due to mental incapacity, such as dementia, need 24-hour access to health services and more frequent supervision. Dementia care offers support for our loved ones that are unable to perform daily tasks and meet their needs. Keeping up with activities, such as cooking, cleaning, personal hygiene, managing finances, shopping, medication and other daily chores, becomes almost impossible to do alone.Dementia patients are faced with many social and physical challenges as a result of their mental health. Suffering from memory loss, irritability, apathy and confusion will require specialised care from experienced and trained health professionals who understand and prioritise our loved one’s unique needs. Dementia care has all the social, recreational and residential benefits of assisted living facilities with added supervision and medical attention needed to help them live a full and happy life.
- Can one transition from assisted living to more advanced care?
The truth is that life will always contain unexpected changes and hurdles that will have to be overcome. As seniors grow older, their care requirements will grow and evolve to account for any mental, physical and practical needs that are changing over time. Most retirement villages will include frail care and dementia care facilities that provide comfortable and affordable living spaces that have the capacity to meet your loved ones changing medical needs.
- When is it the right time to move into assisted living or dementia care?
Noticing when the right time to move your elderly family into assisted living or dementia care can be more difficult than you expect. Knowing your loved ones, the way you do, you may feel able to take care of them or believe them when they tell you that they are able to care of themselves. Signs like forgetfulness, confusion and irritability can indicate the early onset of dementia or other mental decline.It is understandable that we want to keep our parents and grandparents closer to home, even if their health declines. The truth is, the supportive, considerate and caring environment of modern senior care facilities are instrumental to their residents’ emotional and personal wellbeing. The sooner you notice their needs change and get them into the right home and care environment – the happier and safer your loved one will be.
Deciding where your loved ones are going to live, once their physical or mental health declines, is an important and difficult choice to make. Whatever the medical requirements or daily care needs of your loved ones are, Manor Retirement’s beautiful and bustling retirement communities have a range of senior living options to choose from, including assisted living, dementia care and frail care.
