Caring for a senior relative can be challenging, and there may come a time where you will need to make the best decisions regarding their care on their behalf. As people get older, they will often need more support, although it can be beneficial to encourage seniors to be as independent as possible, while offering support when it is needed. Some options to consider if you have a senior relative who requires more care include:
Assisted Living
Moving to an assisted living facility is an ideal choice for lots of seniors. These facilities often come with apartments or small houses that are ideal for a senior as there is not a lot of work involved in the upkeep. Residents are able to live as independently as possible in their own place and make new friends thanks to all the people around them, while having access to help and support if it is necessary.
On-site staff work around the clock to provide care and assistance to residents, and residents are provided with an easy way to contact them if necessary, which gives more peace of mind to families. Assisted living isn’t just about getting support – many facilities offering assisted living in Kirkwood often have a wide range of things for residents to do including on-site gyms and swimming pools, trips out and more.
Home Caregivers
Many older people are not too sure about the idea of moving away to somewhere new. Change can be difficult for anybody, but it may be especially challenging as people get older and may be more set in their ways. As you can imagine, it can often be upsetting for an older person to consider the idea of giving up their current home and moving somewhere else, especially if the home they are living in has precious memories for them such as raising their family and senior caregiver.
In this case, it may sometimes be in the best interests of your relative to find a way to make living in their current home easier for them. Home caregivers can help with this; they will visit your relative on a regular basis to help with anything that they might need assistance with, conduct health checks, and put your mind at ease.
Retirement Communities
Similar to assisted living facilities, a retirement community might be the ideal choice for an elderly relative who wants a quieter live with some access to support but is not quite at a point where they need caregivers. Retirement communities tend to offer even more independence compared to assisted living facilities and may not have caregivers on site. However, there will usually be staff such as facility caretakers who can provide support if needed. Many retirement communities also consist of smaller, more manageable homes that may be easier for your relative to keep on top of compared to a larger property.
If it’s time for a change for an older relative that you are helping, then it is always worth choosing an option that allows them to stay independent as long as possible.