Eskaton Blog

As you start to investigate the different options for senior care you will find that there are many ways to get the help you need as you age. With so many available options, how do you decide which one is best for you? You have to weigh out a number of factors in order to make an informed decision. The types of care available, your physical needs, the cost of care, and your experience when you go on community tours can all be used to help you weigh the options for senior care.

The true cost of care for your aging parents is determined by a number of factors. One of the biggest elements that impacts this cost is the type of care you and your parents choose. Each potential option for senior care comes with its own set of costs. You have to decide which ones you are willing and able to pay. Two popular options for care include staying with family and moving into a senior living community.

One of the biggest concerns adult children have when their parents move into assisted living is the level of care they will receive. You are in good company if you are concerned about how to ensure your parents consistently get the help they need in assisted living. You cannot be with your parents 24/7 so you are putting trust in the staff at the community to provide your parents with appropriate care. There are some steps you can take to maximize the likelihood that your parents will get the help they need. Start by carefully choosing a community based on as many elements as possible. Once your parents make the move, stay on top of their care by visiting as you are able, and keeping the lines of communication open.

 

Taking the time to look at the ratings and reviews of any senior living community you and your parent are considering can help in the decision making process. The community your parents move into will have a direct impact on their daily life for the entire time they live there. Making an informed decision based on reliable information can help ensure that they have the best experience possible. Your parents will likely need your help to determine which senior care community ranks the highest in the area where they want to live. There are a number of resources online that can provide you with information about senior living communities. In addition to online resources, talking to others about their experience with senior living can help you and your parents find the place that will meet their needs and expectations.

Online resources

Online is a great place to start looking for information about senior care communities. There are a lot of different publications and websites that rank senior care communities. One well-known and valuable resource is Caring.com. You can search by state and county to find out if any communities in your area have a top rating from this website. The ‘Caring Star’ from Caring.com is awarded to America’s top-rated senior living communities. 

Being concerned about how your dad will handle the transition into assisted living is a normal part of the process. Change can be difficult even when it is positive change. Fortunately, there are some ways you can help make your dad’s transition into assisted living a good one. You can start by helping him develop accurate expectations about the move. Other ways you can help include pointing out the positives of assisted living and visiting every chance you get.   

There is a long list of reasons why your parents may not want to consider senior living. The thought of trying to sort through all the information about retirement communities can feel intimidating. Not really knowing what it is like inside of an assisted living community may also be holding your parents back. If you want your parents to consider a move, you need to be strategic with your approach.

Knowing when to make the transition from living at home to assisted living can be difficult. There is no one-size-fits-all formula for making that decision. Your age, mobility, health, and family situation all impact the timing of that type of move. While there is no exact formula, there are some steps you can take to determine if assisted living is the right option at this point in your life.

The options for assisted living are more numerous today than they were in the past. There is no longer only one choice for senior living. You can pick and choose between the different senior living communities based on elements such as amenities and locale. In addition, the traditional standalone version of assisted living is no longer the only option out there. You can also find assisted living options within a continuing care retirement center (CCRC). Both of these options can provide you with an environment that meets your physical and social needs. 

If your mom is getting to the place where she wants and/or needs to move into a senior living community you are likely experiencing a range of emotions. It is a normal part of the process for the senior adult and close family to take a little time to figure out how to embrace the reality of this type of move.

 

As your dad ages there will be unwelcomed but expected changes in his physical abilities and overall health. Adult children know to expect these things and try to prepare for the time when Dad needs a little more help. But, one of the biggest threats to the wellbeing and longevity of seniors is often overlooked. That threat is loneliness.