Many family members have elderly loved ones that require a lot of medical attention and assistance. When the time comes, family members will need to make a difficult decision regarding their care. For example, they must decide if they will move them into an assisted living facility, or if the elderly will move in with a family member. When choosing care options, consider these four areas regarding your loved one.
Therapy Programs Assisted Facilities Provide
Many senior citizens develop cognitive diseases such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. These diseases are devastating and cause a lot of pain for everyone involved. Fortunately, there have been therapy programs available at Parc Provence and other similar facilities that have proven to be effective. Below is a closer look at art therapy and the ramifications it has on patients.
An effective art therapy program can improve the quality of life of a patient with Alzheimer’s experiences, as well as their family members. When done well, art therapy stimulates sensory experiences, provides exercise for fine-motor skills, creates an opportunity for socialization, and offers a sense of purpose for the patient. This type of therapy offers an accepting and safe atmosphere for all.
With art therapy, there is no wrong or right way when it comes to the images the person is drawing, painting, or tracing. If the patient wants a bird to be represented as a circle, then it is. This type of therapy can assist people with their ability to process emotions.
The Level of Care Provided
You must discuss the level of care you can provide your loved one versus the care they will receive at an assisted living center. For example, if you are considering moving in your loved one, are you physically able to help them with their everyday tasks? Do you and your family have the time and want the responsibility of caring for someone around the clock? Are you financially able to support another person in your home and the many medical problems they are facing? These questions and more come up, and they must be talked about to ensure you are doing the right thing for your loved one and your family.
An assisted living facility will provide the medical care your loved one requires in a setting that is comfortable and familiar. Assisted living centers offer customized treatment plans to fit the needs of each individual that lives there. Assistance is available around the clock, seven days a week. The type of assistance needed will depend on the health of each person that lives there. For many families, this can be a great idea because older people can live in peace and quiet, and can see their loved ones every week.
Is Your Home Easy to Navigate
Older adults often times have a hard time getting around for one reason or another. Many homes have several levels and going up and down stairs can be a fall hazard. To make it work, a family may need to rearrange their entire home and install stairlifts to any stairs found in the house. This can prove to be a costly undertaking.
Fortunately, assisted living facilities have several rooms to choose from, and all of them are easy to live in. There are no stairs or bathtubs to have to climb in. A shower is easy to get into, as well as the entire living space is made to make senior citizens feel at home. Not only that, but their meals are provided each day, and assistance with taking any medication is available.
How Good is The Care
When choosing a facility for a parent or grandparent, make sure it is licensed to provide assisted living. Pay close attention to the inspection record to see any complaints the center has against it. Two of the most popular complaints regarding assisted living centers is under-staffing and delays in response to calls for assistance by the residents. Before committing to a facility, ask various questions to determine how they would handle different situations regarding your loved one.
Ask the facility how they would handle a person’s fall, or a complaint dealing with pain or illness. If possible, try talking to current residents or their families regarding their thoughts on the facility. Find out their response time and whether or not medication arrives on time each day. Visit and observe during meal times and on weekends to see how effective the team is when handling the residents there.
As people get older, taking care of themselves becomes more difficult and challenging. Living in the home, they have lived in for many years becomes harder to keep up with and becomes an issue as they can fall and get seriously injured. When the time comes, family members must make a difficult decision regarding their care. Some families decide to have the elderly person move in with them, while others find an assisted living center for them to move into. As both decisions are good ones, you must consider your loved one’s needs and overall care.
Talk to your loved one and find out what he or she would like to do regarding their living situation. Through talking, both of you may come up with a solution that is best for all involved. Living in an assisted living center will provide your loved one with the socialization and support they need. Many centers offer a variety of activities, groups, outings, and so much more. People that live there feel as if they are a part of a smaller community.
Older adults never want to burden family members, but they do want to feel that they are still loved and needed by the rest of the family. When choosing an assisted living center, make sure it is one where your loved one will flourish and enjoy their time spent there. Make sure the activities and programs offered are something they will enjoy. There are many reputable assisted living centers your loved one will enjoy; just make sure you do the proper research to find one.
Contributed post
Girl on Fire
Latest posts by Girl on Fire (see all)
- Hey, it’s been a minute… - April 14, 2025
- Benefits of Dual Diagnosis Treatment - January 25, 2023
- How to Help Family With Mental Health Issues? - January 3, 2023
Leave a Reply