What is Senior Care and is it Right for Your Family

The amount and type of care a senior needs vary greatly between individuals. While one senior might only need help to get to their doctor’s visits, another may need 24-hour skilled nursing care. Deciding if senior care is right for your family can be tricky, considering all the options you have to choose from. And, over time, you may need to use more than one type of care as your senior loved one age.

Whether you’re planning ahead or have an immediate need, here are four senior care options for you to consider.

Independent Living Communities

Also known as senior housing, senior apartments, or retirement homes, independent living communities can be apartment complexes, condominiums, or free-standing homes. Some are elaborate and offer a wide variety of social amenities, while others provide only the basics.

Independent senior living is a good choice for a senior who:

• Is fully independent
• Likes to socialize
• Wants amenities like trash and snow removal, emergency call-for-aid systems, wellness center, etc. included in their rent
• Wants to downsize from a family home but isn’t ready for assisted living

Assisted Living Facilities

Assisted living facilities allow seniors to live in a private or semi-private room or a private apartment. Residents receive assistance with the activities of daily living (ADLs), such as eating, bathing, dressing, toileting, continence, and mobility. Seniors living there have access to common areas for socializing, communal dining, transportation, and housekeeping and laundry services.

An assisted living facility is suitable for your senior loved one if they:

• Can no longer live safely at home but don’t require a high level of care
• Are unable to drive
• Would feel safer with 24-hour emergency response
• Want to be involved in social activities, such as gardening clubs, fitness programs, or lunch outings

Nursing Homes

Also known as skilled nursing, convalescent care, or long-term care, nursing homes provide the highest level of senior care in either a private or semi-private room. Seniors can dine with other residents or in their rooms.

A nursing home should be considered for a senior who:

• Is frail or disabled and needs 24-hour skilled assistance
• Requires rehabilitative care while recovering from an illness or surgery
• Is unable to prepare meals

Home Care

Home care allows seniors to stay in their own homes and receive assistance from a professional caregiver provided by a home care agency. They have access to many home care services and can receive assistance for as little as a couple of hours per day up to 24-hour or live-in care.

Home care is an excellent choice for seniors who:

• Have no desire to live anywhere else but home but need help with ADLs
• Can live safely at home
• Are comfortable with someone coming into their home and caring for them

Reputable home care agencies carefully screen caregivers before hiring them and require mandatory personal care training for every caregiver.

AmeriCare Plus Provides Exceptional Senior Care Throughout Virginia

If you or your senior loved one wishes to age safely and securely at home, we can provide you with the highest quality home care you’ll find anywhere in the Commonwealth of Virginia. We have ten locations to serve your family, and we provide our clients with a full menu of services, including companion care, dementia care, live-in care, and personal care.

Contact us to schedule your free assessment. We’ll spend time with your family, assess your senior loved one’s needs, and help them get started with the professional, in-home care they need.