Aging is a time of adaptation and change, and planning your future housing needs is an important part of ensuring that you continue to thrive as you get older. Of course, every older adult is different, so the senior housing choice that’s right for one person may not be suitable for you. The key to making the best choice is to match your housing with your lifestyle, health, and financial needs. This may mean modifying your own home to make it safer and more comfortable, or it could mean moving to a housing facility with more support and social options available on site. It could even involve enrolling in a network of like-minded people to share specialized services, or moving to a retirement community, an apartment building where the majority of tenants are over the age of 65, or even a nursing home.
When deciding on the senior housing plan that’s right for you, it’s important to consider not only the needs you have now but also those you may have in the future:
- Physical And Medical Needs. As You Age, You May Need Some Help With Physical Needs, Including Activities Of Daily Living. This Could Range From Shopping, Cleaning, Cooking, And Looking After Pets To Intensive Help With Bathing, Moving Around, And Eating. You Or A Loved One May Also Need Increasing Help With Medical Needs. These Could Arise From A Sudden Condition, Such As A Heart Attack Or Stroke, Or A More Gradual Condition That Slowly Needs More And More Care, Such As Alzheimer’s Disease.
- Home Maintenance. If You’re Living Alone, Your Current Home May Become Too Difficult Or Too Expensive To Maintain. You May Have Health Problems That Make It Hard To Manage Tasks Such As Housework And Yard Maintenance That You Once Took For Granted.
- Social And Emotional Needs. As You Age, Your Social Networks May Change. Friends Or Family May Not Be As Close By, Or Neighbors May Move Or Pass On. You May No Longer Be Able To Continue Driving Or Have Access To Public Transportation In Order To Meet Up With Family And Friends. Or You Simply May Want To Expose Yourself To More Social Opportunities And Avoid Becoming Isolated And Housebound.
- Financial Needs. Modifying Your Home And Long-Term Care Can Both Be Expensive, So Balancing The Care You Need With Where You Want To Live Requires Careful Evaluation Of Your Budget.
- Helping A Loved One Cope With A Loss Of Independence It’s Painful To See A Loved One Struggling To Maintain Their Home Or Themselves. Maybe Clothes Are Not As Clean As They Used To Be Or The House Is Getting Increasingly Messy. Or Maybe Your Loved One Is Experiencing Frequent Falls Or Memory Lapses Such As Leaving The Stove On Or The Door Unlocked. While You Can’t Force A Loved One To Accept Help Or Move Home, Unless They Are A Danger To Themselves Or Others, You Can Provide Them With Information And Reassurance. Don’t Take It On Alone. Brainstorm With Other Family And Friends And Talk With Your Loved One’s Medical Team. Sometimes A Senior Will Listen More To A Doctor, Care Manager, Or Other Impartial Party.
- Explain How Care May Prolong Independence. Accepting Some Assistance Now May Help Your Loved One Remain In His Or Her Home For As Long As Possible. Or If Your Loved One Considers An Assisted Living Facility Now, For Example, It May Negate The Need For A Nursing Home Later On.
- Help Your Loved One Cope With The Loss Of Independence. Encourage Your Loved One To Stay Active, Maintain Relationships With Friends And Family, And To Keep An Open Mind About New Interests, Such As Trying A Day Care Facility.
- Suggest A Trial Run For Home Care Services Or Other Changes To Give Your Loved One A Greater Sense Of Control Over His Or Her Situation. A Trial Run Let’s Your Loved One Have The Chance To Experience The Benefits Of Assistance Or Change In Living Situation Before Having To Commit To Anything Long-Term.
- Don’t Expect To Handle All Care Yourself. There Are Only 24 Hours In A Day, And You Need To Be Able To Balance Your Own Health, Family, Work, And Finances. Caregiving Can Start With Small Assistance, And Rapidly Grow To An All-Encompassing Task. Getting Help Is Not A Sign Of Weakness. It Means You Care Enough About Your Loved One’s Health And Safety To Realize When The Responsibility Is Too Great. Educate Yourself About The Resources That Can Help Your Loved One, And See If Other Family Members Can Also Help.
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Duties senior care
- Companionship And Home Helper
- Meal Preparation
- Medication Reminders
- Accompany To Doctor Visits
- Grocery Shopping
- Laundry And Linens
- Light Housekeeping
- Socializing
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Personal Services
- Bathing
- Dressing
- Incontinence Care
- Mobility Assistance
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Alzheimer’s or Other Dementias Care
- Managing Behavioral Symptoms
- Encouraging Engagement
- Assist With Activities Of Daily Living
- Keeping Seniors Safe
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Transitional Care Services
- Transportation
- Prescription Pick-Up
- Hospital Discharge Assistance
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Hospice Support
- Supplemental Support
- Respite For Family Caregivers
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When a person becomes unable to perform these tasks, even temporarily, family members and non-medical caregivers can step in to help. Assisting with these activities generally doesn’t require any sort of medical certification. In contrast, home health care requires a doctor’s order and is performed by a licensed health professional, such as a nurse or physical therapist.
