As people get older, it’s a sad truth that, unfortunately, faculties begin to fail, and they become less capable. Problems with eyesight, hearing, muscles, and memory are all common in the elderly and can prove a significant problem – even a danger – if the affected person is left to live alone.
If you have an elderly relative, you’ll likely have already considered these points and will be looking for ways to keep them safe while also maintaining their quality of life. Thankfully, there is a much wider range of care services available for the elderly these days, which will help you relieve the stresses on your family while also ensuring your relative sees out their days with happiness and the greatest comfort possible.
Secure, restricted age communities
If your relative is still capable of living independently and looking after themselves, a restricted age community may be the best answer. These complexes typically have a minimum age restriction on properties (say, 55, for example), meaning all residents are of a similar age. A restricted age complex will mean your loved one will automatically join a pre-existing community giving them company and support while still ensuring their total independence.
In-home care
For a relative who is losing the ability to care for themselves properly but still enjoys living alone, in-home care could be the answer. As the name suggests, in-home care means a carer will come and look after your loved one in their own home. This can cover anything from personal care (e.g., cooking, washing, dressing, etc.) to property duties like cleaning and maintenance.
Assistive care
In an assistive care facility, your relative will have all the benefits of professional care while maintaining their independence and becoming part of a community. Assistive care essentially means only providing the skills or tasks that the person can’t perform themselves, making their lives easier but not stripping them of quality of life or total independence. Services like this Washington Court House Ohio assisted living facility are highly skilled at striking a balance between overbearing care provision and allowing residents their freedom.
Hospice care
Hospice care tends to be provided to those who are terminally ill or at the end of their life and gives a holistic approach to the care process, looking after not just the resident but also the resident’s family. Rather than just improving the patient’s quality of life, hospice care tends to revolve more around reducing the stress, pain, or anxiety of the patient and their family through a very challenging, difficult, and emotional time.
Nursing home care
Similar to hospice home care, nursing homes provide treatments and care, especially to those with serious medical conditions that need frequent supervision. A nursing home might be where an elderly relative lives out their final days – but thankfully, in the least discomfort possible with skilled and qualified medical practitioners and experienced care staff looking after them in their last days.
Final thoughts
If you have an elderly relative, you must speak openly with them about their options as they become older. Only then will you have a clear idea of what’s right for them and what they would prefer. Clearly, in some cases, circumstances will dictate what’s possible – but you should at least discuss these options well in advance, so you know what your loved one’s wishes are when they are capable of discussing them.
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