As we get old or want to provide the best care for an older adult, several questions need to get addressed! For instance, does staying at home ensures correct care, or is there a need to opt-in for an assisted living arrangement? Whether you or an older adult needs to move around the house or roaming around the town for doctor visits, it is essential to make the correct self-care decision.
However, the best news is that medical devices and technology developments allow people to get all the advantages of senior care at home and manage other struggles. Staying at home isn’t the ideal solution for everyone. Do you want to make an informed decision? If yes, you need to assess various factors, such as finances, personal capacities, and the available support network.
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Understanding assisted living
Simply put, assisted living homes are ideal for older adults who need less senior care every day. It means that most assisted living units offer the residents assistance in completing multiple tasks, for instance, taking their medications. However, you can’t expect long-term care here.
The assisted living homes also get referred to as the adult congregate care where most people are more than 65 years. It includes people who need a wheelchair for moving around or are suffering from any cognitive impairments. Even though assisted living gradually shifts to nursing homes, few residents leave assisted living homes or change to another unit. Here are two essential aspects of assisted living.
- Helps to maintain independence
An assisted living home enables residents to retain their independence without costing on their safety. It provides support to the resident’s autonomy and privacy while concentrating on family and community involvement. It also allows residents to follow their religious practices to communicate and socialize with the unit’s people. It helps to foster social connections, and they feel counted. Any visitor can come and visit the resident on any day and sometimes stay overnight as well. Some assisted living homes also allow pets.
- Services and residence
The residents living in assisted living units generally have their semi-private apartments. It usually comprises of kitchen space, bedroom, and bathroom. However, the apartment plan or room arrangement can differ from one unit to the other. The residents receive all the help for their regular tasks as and when required. Under the dining programs, the residents get three meals in a day. Additionally, there is a provision for exercise and social activities as well. A few other assisted home services can comprise recreational activities, housekeeping, social and religious activities, health services, laundry services, transportation services, wellness programs, and round the clock security.
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What is a home care facility?
Today, home care units are gaining relevance. There are leading home care agencies in Brooklyn and elsewhere that provide a wide range of services ranging from easy companionship to personal care or supervision. This facility is apt for people who wish to stay at home but require constant maintenance, which their friends or family members can’t offer.
It enables elderly individuals to age comfortably in their homes. Various home care plans add a blend of non-medical or assisted living services, along with organized health care services. It helps people to realize the level of personal care a senior citizen or an elderly person needs. It will also impact the expense of care and the funding sources accessible for paying all these expenses. Generally, the non-medical care services comprise of the following:
- Transportation
- Personal care
- Light housekeeping
- Companionship
- Laundry
- Shopping
- Supervision
- Medication reminders
- Errands
- Meal preparation
At times, the home care agencies and the insurance service providers utilize a person’s Activities of Daily Living (ADL) rating for deciding on the needs of the person. These ratings get based on six essential activities that highlight a person’s capacity to offer self-care. It includes:
- Walking
- Eating
- Dressing
- Bathing
- Using the toilet
- Transferring
Now that you understand the differences between home care agencies and assisted living, you still might find it challenging to decide which one to opt-in for. Whether you are selecting it for yourself or another person, it is a crucial decision you have to make. And you must complete the correct decision.
The best way to make the correct decision is to understand your need and budget capacity. When you know all these needs correctly, you can compare both the services and decide which one will prove better. It is also essential to assess the assisted living unit’s locality and check whether it is well connected with transport systems and is safe from social unrest and other turbulences. Also, check whether the older adult is in a position to leverage home care. Once you keep this and the factors mentioned above in mind, you can make an informed decision.
