The Transition from Home to Senior Care Facility Can be a Tough Decision

As the National Institute on Aging notes, the benefits for seniors of living around family and friends may not meet all their needs. At that point, seniors and their families will need to figure out the next step: what are his or her specific medical needs? Are there memory care concerns? In some cases, the medical attention available at a nursing home facility may be needed. For many seniors, though, there are other options.

Residential Care Homes Feel Like Home

One option for round-the-clock senior care is a residential care home. It provides a place to live, eat, socialize and enjoy life with a few other people and trained staff. It may be located in a residential neighborhood, have a garden, and provide access to community amenities like the library. There’s usually at least one common area which serves as a living room, access to television, and a common eating area. Snacks, meals and access to their own refrigerator space is usually provided.

Medical Care is Just a Call Away

Like living at home, nurses may visit the care home and transportation for doctor visits is provided. Seniors get additional 24-hour supervision, however, and can receive help organizing and taking their medication. Staff are in frequent contact with residents throughout the day, and can often provide information to medical providers about how the senior is handling daily life. This can be a great advantage, as seniors living alone or with family who work may experience difficulties which no one has noticed.

Social Life is Less Structured

In a nursing home facility, visitors often visit in the senior’s bedroom though other spaces are available. In smaller residential care homes, it’s more like having someone come to call: they can enjoy the visit in the living room or outside in the garden, usually on a schedule determined by the senior herself. It’s easier to provide a flexible lifestyle.

Memory Care is Still an Option

Some seniors tend to wander or need assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) like showering and eating. Residential care homes sometimes provide specially designed buildings and yards to keep life simple and secure. Staff there are ready to tend to residents according to their memory care needs. There may come a time when the senior needs a more comprehensive facility, but most memory care patients benefit from a familiar, home-like setting with personalized interactions and activities.

Personalized Care is More Fun

An important part of senior care is helping them continue to enjoy life, which residential homes can do exceptionally well.

Infographic provided by TargetLeads, a Medicare lead mailing company