Senior Living:

Choosing the Best Option for an Elderly Parent

It is difficult enough to pick up roots and change residence for just about anyone, but when it involves moving your elderly parent out of a lifelong home, it can be heart-wrenching. You worry if they will have a hard time adapting to their new environment, and you feel nervous about making the right choice for them.There are almost too many options available, no longer limited to just the old folks' home as they once were. You will find the solution for your parents' health and security in one of these.

Many seniors actually suffer health problems when they are forced to move out of their homes. This is a traumatic experience that affects them deeply. Because of the trauma that may result from this big adjustment, many families opt to have their elder parents remain in their homes, with an at home service to help them out. These services provide as much or as little assistance as you feel your parents need. They include shopping, housekeeping, yard work and even nursing services or health aides. They can be very expensive but if the family can afford it, it is an ideal solution.

Adult Foster Care is another option that may be best if your parent is resistant to leaving their home environment. If they require assistance to meet their needs in the areas of housekeeping, meals, bathing, dressing, eating or other personal areas, this can be provided for them if this type of care exists in their area.

Information can be obtained by contacting the local Social Services Department.

For those elderly persons who do not mind moving out of their own home, but don't like the solution of a "senior citizens home", sharing a home with a family may be the solution. You will need to locate a homeowner who has an extra room in their house (and heart) and has proper facilities. They are usually willing to earn income by providing services for your parents. This may include the provision of food, housekeeping, errands, etc. and services of this type may be on a fee-per-service basis, but are more likely negotiated into the cost of housing.

Another new concept that has been introduced into the area of senior care are Senior Group Homes. Seniors have the opportunity to live independently, but have the company of like-minded seniors. The advantage is that your parents are in a supervised environment, so there is less worry. Usually, a group home would consist of a group of seniors
who share one house and agree to share expenses such as rent, meals, housekeeping, utilities and common expenses. Personal services are paid for independently.

Many seniors are these days choose an Independent Living Retirement Community. This is a route for those who prefer independence combined with a sense of security. Packages include meals, housekeeping, security, transportation to shopping, doctor's visits or outings, and many activities such as exercise classes, golf and tennis.This option would
appeal to many active seniors.

Assisted Living Facilities are very similar to Independent Living Retirement Communities, except that facilities such as these also provide personal care services to the elderly residents. For example, if your parent needs assistance with medications, bathing, dressing and grooming, then this would be the more appropriate environment of the two. Depending upon the number of seniors, these can range from private homes that can house a few individuals to a large facility that~s more institutional in its design.

A Nursing Home is probably the only option, if an elderly parent is disabled to such an extent that they need constant medical care. Here, seniors have little independence, but the state of their health would not allow that in any case. This is usually your last resort in elder care, a nursing home that provides an environment for your frail parent that is closely monitored 24 hours a day.