Senior Living Options And That Care Conversation
Is it time to talk about senior living with Mum or Dad? Do you need to know where to start or what the options are? Come on in, and let's help you figure it out.
Understanding Senior Living Options
There’s a lot to consider when it comes to senior living options. We’ve listed what’s available for Mum and Dad below to help you get some clarity.
Ageing in Place (or Home Care)
“Ageing in place”, also known as Home Care, refers to medical and non-medical services for seniors that are carried out at home. At Home Instead, these can range from
- Home help, housekeeping and meal prep
- Personal care
- Nail care
- Community transport
- Health care at home and medication monitoring
- 24/7 Live-in Care
- Overnight and Waking Night care
- Respite care
- Specialist condition-led care
- And Palliative care
The aim is to provide support that helps seniors maintain independence and quality of life without leaving the place they call home.
Retirement Communities
Retirement communities are housing developments designed for older adults, typically 55 or older. These communities offer various services, including social activities, recreational facilities, and sometimes healthcare services.
The goal is to provide residents with a supportive and engaging environment as they transition into retirement.
Assisted Living Facilities
Assisted living facilities are residential care options for seniors who need more help with bathing, dressing, and meal prep but do not require intensive medical and nursing care.
These facilities typically offer a combination of housing, meals, personal care, and support services. While services vary, the goal is to provide residents with a supportive environment that promotes safety, independence, and quality of life.
Nursing Homes
Nursing homes are residential facilities for seniors who require constant nursing care and cannot live independently. They provide skilled nursing care, rehabilitation services, bathing, dressing, and eating assistance.
Nursing homes are designed for individuals who can no longer be cared for at home and require 24-hour supervision and medical care.
Approaching the Senior Living Care Conversation
Now that you understand what’s on offer, it’s time to consider how to start the care conversation.
Remember, both you and your loved one will have complex feelings about acknowledging their ageing and what “care” looks like. That’s why approaching the senior living care conversation naturally feels difficult.
As challenging as it feels to plant a conversation opener, it is a significant move. Remember, with the proper care, Mum and Dad can thrive.
Here are our four tips on how to start your senior care conversation:
- Pick the right moment to discuss senior living and elder care, opting for incremental conversations to explore suitable services and timing. Start by observing. If you notice chores are getting a little difficult, ask, “Where would you like help with chores?”
- Talk about senior care at home, and when your loved one can fully engage. Encourage open and honest discussions over a cup of tea, which always works best in our experience. It’s a warm and sensitive touch.
- Ensure your loved one feels included in conversations about their senior care, giving them a sense of control and choice in their future. That’s crucial. Someone is more likely to accept help if they feel it is something they asked for.
- Approach the topic with sensitivity. Openly discuss emotions and expectations surrounding elder care while providing yourself and your loved one with the space to be heard. Feeling heard helps alleviate some of the pressure and uncertainty of what each of you thinks or feels about “care”.
Need some help or want to learn more about Home Care? Contact us today at 01923 250513.
We are your Home Instead team, covering Watford, Bushey, Northwood and surrounding areas.