Choosing the Right Level of Assistance for Your Senior Parent

As our parents age, we often become concerned about their safety and health. If a senior parent has difficulty climbing, some families may consider a stair lift installation. This apparatus will allow the senior to climb stairs via a motorized device. When our concerns go beyond our parents’ mobility, we may need to search for a place for seniors to live.

Assisted living communities have become the most practical solution for many families with seniors. Those communities provide aged care solutions for people who need help with some activities of daily living but can also do some of them by themselves. Most assisted living communities will provide meals, laundry services, and activities for their residents. They become insular communities with readily available helpers the residents can turn to as they are needed.

If your parents can still accomplish all their basic daily care activities, you might consider an independent living community. These senior villages provide a life for seniors who can care for themselves. Many independent living communities offer the option of transitioning to assisted living when necessary. Offering flexible options like this can fulfill our desire for helping our seniors remain safe and as functional as possible.

Many adults have had the difficult decision of what to do with their elderly parent when they are no longer able to fully take care of themselves anymore. The decision can be tricky, because feelings are often strong and guilt can play into the decision, as well. There are different levels of care that are often needed when it comes to elder care and the amount of care or the best type of care for a senior will often depend on the amount of assistance that is needed.

There are nursing homes, assisted living apartments and in home care options available. Each one of the assistive programs has their own benefits and assist seniors based on their specific needs. For example, some seniors may only need minor help, assistance with things like house chores and yard work. Otherwise, they may be fully capable of taking care of themselves. In fact, some people are rejecting retirement all together and continuing to work into their 90s. According to the U.S. Department of Labor statistics, there are 1.2 million people 75 and older who work full or part time. By 2019, more than 40% of American 55 plus will be working, making up over 25% of the U.S. labor force.

Some seniors may need additional care, but still not require 24 hour, 7 day a week care. Many elder care situations will include Alzheimers care, which can progress slowly or it can progress quickly. Some seniors who have Alzheimer?s may be able to still care for themselves for many years. They may require minimal help; help with things such as cooking meals and grooming. These seniors may benefit from a caregiver or from some type of in home care. Home care involves elder care while the senior remains in their home. In the United States, the rate of home health care use for women aged 65 and over was 55% higher than the rate for men. Women tend to utilize the services of home health care much more than males do.

Other seniors may require around the clock care for their disabilities. These seniors may require elder care that involves grooming, feeding and dressing. These may be seniors with multiple health conditions that require assistance. More than three fourths of assisted living residents have had at least 2 of the 10 most common chronic conditions, high blood pressure and Alzheimer?s disease and other dementias were the most prevalent. These seniors may live alone or may have adult children who have other responsibilities and are not able to provide sufficient care to them.

It can be a difficult decision to choose to hire additional help for an aging parent. There are different levels of assistance that are available. Many seniors require varying levels of assistance, depending on their living situations and their health conditions. Seniors have the option of minimal assistance in the home, moderate assistance in the home, minimal security and assistance in a group type setting or full assistance and around the clock care and watching in a group type setting.