What Type Of Senior Care Is Right For Your Loved One?

You love your elderly family member, but caring for them can be difficult when you have obligations of your own. Providing full-time care can be daunting for anyone. In some cases, it may even be impossible, especially if you have multiple jobs or a family of your own to take care of. When you need additional assistance, senior care services can provide the help you need. Often the goal of senior care is to allow seniors to stay in their own homes for as long as possible. However, in some cases, care is better able to be provided in an assisted living facility. Here are three questions you can use to help you decide what type of senior care will help your loved one best.

Does your loved one require constant supervision?

If your loved one is capable of being left alone for the majority of the day, in-home senior care is a good option. However, some people require more supervision. People with Alzheimer's and dementia may wander outside and get lost, which can be dangerous and frightening for them. If your loved one suffers from memory loss, a memory care facility is well-equipped to help them deal with the unique challenges that come with these conditions. 

Can your loved one perform many household tasks alone?

Senior care services provide assistants who can help with all manner of tasks. Arthritis can make tasks involving fine motor skills challenging or painful, and an in-home carer can assist your loved one with putting on clothes, bathing, and other personal hygiene tasks. A carer can also help prepare meals and perform light household cleaning. However, in-home carers often work for limited hours. If your senior loved one requires around-the-clock assistance, a nursing home will allow them to have the constant help they need.

Does your loved one feel isolated or lonely?

Loneliness afflicts many elderly people, particularly those whose spouses have died. Have a conversation with your loved one to determine their overall mental state. Find out if they feel lonely throughout the day. If your loved one can no longer drive, they may feel trapped and isolated alone in their house. Assisted living facilities will give them the opportunity to live in close proximity to their peers. The sense of community can encourage your senior loved one to make new friends and expand their social circle, which is excellent for mental health.

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