There are a number of things to consider when deciding which is the best option, assisted living or a nursing home, for an elderly family member. There health care needs that should be looked at carefully as well as finances and of course personal preferences. Coming to the right decision will definitely have more of an impact than when just considering Fair Go casino bonuses, and what to do with them!
Happiness may also be part of the equation. According to the Center for Disease Control almost 25% of people over the age of 65 are socially isolated. Many studies have found that older people report that they are unhappy when they are socially isolated, have some form of disability and/or are depressed.
Below we will look at the pros and cons of being cared for at home, assisted living or nursing homes and will weigh up how each of these impact a person’s happiness levels.
Discuss the issue with the family member
Having a discussion with the person before any decisions are made is very important. What will make them happy. What do they enjoy doing and how do they see themselves living? It may be that what they want is just not possible. But it is important to have the discussion. In this way they will feel that in some way they have some control over what decisions are made. Being part of the decision -making process will undoubtedly make them feel happier.
Consider all of the options
Once you have discussed with the family member their preferences and understand what type of services they may need and the cost of such services, you can begin to search for a place that is suitable. The choice of place should also be discussed with your loved one.
It is worth finding a few places that might fit the requirements and then discuss them together. This way you can rule out some of them, perhaps those offering more or less services than you need. Services all cost money so you really want to choose a place that you are paying for only what is needed.
Perhaps, your elderly relative has stopped preparing food and orders food in. If this is the case, then it may be best to find a service offering meal preparation. If you sit and discuss all the different options together it will be possible to find exactly what services are needed and, in this way not spend money on facilities that are not needed.
Assisted Living: Pros and Cons
Assisted living facilities means that your loved one lives in a facility which is taken care of by staff. That includes all the daily work of cooking and cleaning. Also, if your loved one has difficulty managing their personal care, for example, dressing or bathing, assisted living facilities will help with this too. Assisted living facilities also have medical practitioners on site 24 hours a day so you are assured that if there are any problems there is always someone there to take care of them.
The downside of assisted living facilities is of course the price. They tend to be very expensive. They can cost tens of thousands of dollars per year, according to AARP.
Doing careful research into the facility you are interested in is crucial. Some unhappy situations have been uncovered where poor care, neglect or even abuse has occurred in some facilities. Because of these stories, many families are nervous about their loved ones living in nursing homes. So again, do the research, listen to what people say and read reviews. It is important that you feel comfortable with your loved one living in the assisted living facility that you have chosen.
In-home care – Pros and Cons
Obviously, the main advantage of home care is that the elderly person is able to stay in their own home. In this way they get to continue living with what they have become accustomed to. They can still live with friends and family and this is likely to make them feel more secure and happy. They will likely also feel more free and less controlled.
Receiving home care usually means that the person is able to stay connected to their friends and other community activities, like church going. Studies have shown that these social connections are important for seniors to maintain healthy and happy lives. Home care can also help with light housecleaning, preparing meals, bathing and also driving if necessary. Depending on the specific needs of your loved one, a helper can live-in, or visit several days a week.
Medical care will not be as accessible as it would be in an assisted living facility so it is important to assess the type of health care that will be needed when deciding which type of health care to choose. Be realistic about the level of functioning of the person in question. Levels of home care can always be increased if the need arises.
Important things to consider when deciding which is the best option
There are a number of other factors that should be considered when deciding which is the best route to take.
- How far you live from your loved one should be a consideration. If you live locally, it will be easier to drop in to see if all is well with the health care workers.
- If your loved one is relatively isolated and has few social interactions, then moving into a care facility could be really uplifting for them. They may benefit from being part of a community and give them a new sense of connectedness. This can enhance their health and happiness levels.
Making the right choice is important
It is a big responsibility and can feel emotionally overwhelming to make the decision as to where a loved one should live. Discussing the issue openly and together will allow you to come to the right choice where everyone feels good about the decision.