Making Senior Housing Decisions: The Right Option for You
As our loved ones grow old, all family members go through periods of change and adaptation. This aging process sometimes brings up worries and concerns about our senior’s safety and well-being. Many parents and their children search for senior housing considering it as an important factor for ensuring their quality of life. Whether your search is caused by a serious medical condition or the desire for a lifestyle and environment change for your loved one, choosing the best place to live or move, can be challenging and stressful for you and your family. However, there are some factors and guidelines to consider that will help you take a good decision for you and your parents.
Senior Housing Types
There is a variety of services and senior housing types, including traditional and non traditional options. The categories of senior housing differ according to the amount of care provided for activities of daily living and for medical care.
As you search for senior housing options, verify that it provides the required level of care that you need and make sure you understand all the services offered and how much it covers.
Some of the options are:
Aging in place
Staying at home has some benefits like keeping you in a familiar environment and close to your family members and friends. If you decide to take this option you may consider making some modifications in order to keep your place safe and suitable for your daily activities and special needs.
Independent living
Independent living refers to any housing arrangement designed exclusively for seniors, generally 55 years and over. The housing options varies widely and you can feel free to choose form an apartment-style living to a house for your own. In general, the housing is friendlier to older adults, compact, safer and no maintenance to worry about.
Independent living may be your best choice if:
- Your loved one needs minor assistance with their daily activities.
- You and your loved one like the idea of a friendly environment with the option to socialize within an active adult community.
- Senior likes independency without the problem of maintenance of the house or yard.
Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC)
These are communities that encourage independent living while providing assisted living and nursing care in the same place, so your loved one can stay in the same general facilities as their housing and care needs change over time.
Assisted living facilities
Assisted living communities are a housing option for seniors who may need help with some of their daily life activities (cooking meals, getting to the bathroom in the middle of the night, going to medical appointments, etc.). This option offers the safety of 24-hour support and access to care, however, it encourages privacy and independence.
Nursing homes
Nursing homes are facilities that provide custodial care, that means, special assistance that includes feeding, getting in and out of bed, bathing, and dressing, while providing a high level of medical care. A licensed physician supervises each patient’s care and a nurse or other medical professional are among the staff members.
What Are The Aspects You Should Consider When Choosing Senior Housing?
It’s vital to consider not only your current needs and health conditions but also those you may have in the future. Here are some points you should keep in mind when looking for senior housing options
- Physical and medical needs. .
- Location and accessibility.
- Home maintenance.
- Social and emotional needs.
- Financial needs.
Whether you and your loved one are considering home care services or moving to a retirement community or nursing home, planning these changes based on your future housing needs usually brings up worries in your senior loved one about losing their independence, along with feelings of shame, fear, confusion, or anger.
But it’s important to remember that you’re not alone in this, and if you have any questions, concerns, or services regarding senior housing in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, that can help your loved one, please call our office at 561-440-2273 for our lake worth office, and 561-282-6106 for our Palm Beach Gardens office.
