Aging often affects our lives, whether we want it to or not. Many people find that it slows them down enough that they eventually need assistance with daily living. Knowing available options and planning in advance of needing additional care is important so you can feel safe and secure.
There are so many options to choose from when you start planning your journey.
Planning for the unknown is difficult. Most people want to stay in their home. A common decision is to downsize or purchase a single-story home to avoid stairs or purchase a condo to eliminate yard and home maintenance.
This is a good start, but does stop short for many. It is possible that health issues will develop or you will suffer the loss of a spouse, which changes everything.
If you can independently live at home, there are home care options ranging from companionship to nursing. Those services are available for a few hours a week to full-time, even providing over-night care, or full live in care.
Additional in-home care services:
- transportation to appointments
- shopping
- medicine reminders
- meal preparation
- laundry
- bathing
- family welfare checks
This great option is based on your needs, as they occur, and can be transitional over time, while you are in your home.
A popular option for those who want to live in a larger community are communities cater to one, all or a combination of services and levels of care. This is a beneficial arrangement so that you can transition to the next level of care if it becomes necessary.
independent living
- independent living
- assisted living
- memory care
- long term skilled nursing
- rehabilitation
They provide meals, activities, transportation, and a solid transition plan through on-site wellness monitoring. Even if you’re living in a large care community such as this, you can still also have home care aides who come into the community to help you with additional services needed.
Regardless of where you are residing, if your medical care needs advance to the point of needing specific disease or end-of-life care, a physician may prescribe hospice or palliative care which can happen in various living environments.
Another option is an Adult Family Home. These are homes with fewer residents who generally have common needs. The setting is a modified home in a neighborhood. It can be a great place for memory care, for someone who has sensitivity to overstimulation, or those who are aging peacefully. The meals are served family style in a large kitchen and attached family room. The 4-8 residents spend their time in the common area as a group. Families may have care managers or home care aides.
Long term care living options are varied based on client care needs and may be staffed with personal care assistants (PCA), certified nursing assistants (CAN), certified home care aides (HCA), licensed practical nurses (LPN), and registered nurses (RN/BSN/MSN), as well as social workers (BSW/MSW/LCSW/ACSW, etc.).
Since these decisions may be overwhelming, it is important to work with a care manager to have expert guidance of the options available and what you can expect with each option.
If you or someone in your family are facing aging challenges, please give us a call at 803-215-1019 or email us at info@longtermliaisons.com. We’ll be happy to assist!
