Care Options For The Elderly

| Monday, January 13, 2014
By Kristana Jenson


While making a decision about eldercare is never easy, these days there are many different types and levels of care to consider. Whether you are searching for just a little bit of extra help or need full-time, around-the-clock care, there is an ideal choice for each and every situation. Here are some examples of eldercare options and what they include.

If your family member needs constant nursing care, then a nursing home is certainly an option to consider. Also known as a convalescent home or skilled nursing facility, a nursing home provides around the clock medical supervision and care. While sometimes, a person needs to be at a nursing facility for a number of months or years, short-term nursing care is an option for those recovering from a fall, a stroke or some type of accident. Not only will they receive nursing care, but rehabilitative services also are available, helping them to transition out of nursing care as soon as possible.

Often a person is in good physical health but no longer able to handle personal tasks and needs some level of custodial care. This is also an option for someone who needs a little help but also doesn't want to live completely alone. An assisted living home might be a good option for this person. This type of facility offers a variety of social activities, while also providing whatever level of assistance is needed. You might need help with daily activities such as bathing or grooming or ensuring that you remember to take any needed medication. Also, when you live in an assisted living facility, your housekeeping, laundry and cooking chores are completed by the staff, which might make your life a great deal easier.

If you or your family member prefers to stay at home but still needs help with personal chores and household chores, you can also consider hiring in-home care. While this is a less social option, it might be just what you need to simply make day-to-day life a little bit easier. You can have someone prepare meals, clean the house, provide grooming and bath care and also run errands. This level of care and also assisted living generally are not covered by Medicaid, simply because there is no medical component of care. Some assisted living facilities do offer certain levels of nursing care that might be covered, but generally these costs are out-of-pocket expenses.

A third option and one that sort of combines the socializing of assisted living with the comfort of in-home care is a board & care option. This usually includes just five or six people in all with around the clock assistance for basic needs, as well as housekeeping, laundry and meal preparation. It can be homier than assisted living, which is a nice option for some people, but with a few other residents, there is more opportunity for social interaction.

It takes time to find the right facility for you or your loved one, and it can be helpful to use a service such as CarePlacement.com which takes into account all of your needs and your budget and looks for the best possible arrangement. Be sure to visit each facility yourself to determine if it is a place where you or your loved one will truly be comfortable.




About the Author:



0 comments:

Post a Comment