When an elderly parent is unable to live and care for themselves, many families must decide where they will live. Families must fully evaluate their options by comparing the pros and cons of each one. Although it may be difficult, families must take a realistic approach to determine both their parent’s abilities and needs, along with their own abilities and needs, to ensure the right choice is made.
What are the Options?
As people age, they become prone to medical and mobility issues that may prevent them from caring for themselves. When this occurs, families must consider senior living options to ensure their parent is in a safe environment. In most cases, families must decide whether moving the parent in with them is the best option or if they should choose assisted living for the parent.
The Right Care
The decision should focus on ensuring that the elderly parent gets the care they need. Each medical, mobility, and cognitive issue must be considered realistically. Not only does the family need to consider the parent’s immediate needs, but they must examine what type of care may be needed in the future. Many conditions, such as cognitive issues, can worsen over time. As the issue progresses, the parent may require further care and providers that offer memory care.
Monitoring Parent’s Care
In their own home, family members are more able to monitor the care that their parent receives and ensure their needs are being met. In a senior living community, it may be difficult for children to know how well their parent is being cared for.
Although being in the home allows the ability to monitor their parent’s care, are the adult children able to provide that care? Most adult children must also work and care for their own families while providing care for an elderly parent. These children must realistically determine if they can provide the full-time care their parents may need.
In an assisted living community, adult children may not be able to monitor their parent 24 hours a day, but they should know that the staff will. Whether the parent has a medical emergency, or just needs help with their daily needs, the staff members are always available to help.
Financial Aspects
Families must also consider the financial aspects of their choice. Providing the proper support for seniors can be costly. Many of the services needed for the elderly parent are not covered by many insurance plans, including Medicare. Families need to look closely at the costs each option may require.
Accessibility
One cost many families miss when planning to bring their elderly parent into their home is the potential for modifications to their home. An additional room may be needed to accommodate the parent. In addition, if the parent has mobility issues, they may require modifications to the home to ensure they can get in, out, and to the bathroom or kitchen as needed. Alarm or monitoring systems may also be necessary for parents prone to cognitive issues or medical emergencies.
At a senior living community, modifications are not a concern. These communities provide accessibility throughout. Ramps or elevators are usually available to ensure seniors can travel between floors. Bathrooms are equipped to meet the needs of each senior. They also offer emergency care and monitoring onsite to ensure every resident’s needs are met.
Home Aide
Another major cost to having a parent in the home is a home aide. Medicare will cover the costs of home health aide and other medical care if it is medically necessary. However, they often will not cover the costs of a person to assist with the parent’s day-to-day needs.
If the home aide is only needed a few hours a day when all family members are at work or school, the cost is minimal. However, if the care is needed for more than 40 hours a week, the cost can become significant. In California, home care can range from $13 to $40 per hour, with an average of $26.
At a senior care community, any care needed will be included. Most communities offer staff that is available 24 hours a day. These communities also provide monitoring and staff to help seniors with day-to-day activities as well as companionship when needed. Many communities even offer services for memory care.
About Regency Place
At Regency Place, our staff is committed to providing community members with the care they need. From the freedom of independent living to the safety of assisted care, our team offers individualized care and comfort for residents. Every senior deserves a home where they can enjoy their golden years. Let Regency Place be that home.
