aking care of those we love is a lifelong process that changes at each life stage. As they get older and need more care than you can provide, it becomes difficult to manage the situation.
If you have a parent, family member, or friend who needs more care than you can provide, it’s time to seek help from a nursing facility. Many people feel apprehensive about this since they believe that all nursing homes don’t provide the quality of care needed.
There are various types of nursing homes that care for patients based on conditions and stage of life they’re in. Proper research can go a long way toward finding the right facility.
Learn more about the different levels of care provided, and discover which one is best for your loved one.
Independent Living Offers Freedom for Those Needing Little Care
Independent living is ideal if your loved one can manage to live on their own, but needs a little help with very basic activities. Services provided by facilities include cleaning, activities to do, and meals.
Additional services usually exist, but you’ll pay extra to have them in your family member’s plan. Folks in these set-ups get their own apartment and come and go as they like.
This type of living arrangement offers peace of mind for anyone who wants their family member to retain their freedom but feels they’ll need assistance at some point. Many nursing homes who offer this provide various levels of care that progress to each stage family members need to stay safe.
Unlike living on their own, they’ll have someone to contact if they need additional help. If you live out of state and there’s considerable distance between you and your loved one, this is a useful option.
Assisted Living Provides Occasional Help
If you feel that your loved one could still live comfortably on their own, but needs more help than the occasional service, assisted living is an option to consider. This allows them to get help with certain skills and daily activities while leaving them on their own during the rest of the day.
Activities where assistance gets provided includes:
- Bathing
- Dressing
- Meals
- Getting medications
Assistance is usually available via a call button in your loved one’s apartment, although help doesn’t always arrive right away. Assisted living services don’t restrict individuals from going about their day, but provide help with basics.
If you believe extra daily care that you’re not able to provide makes a difference in the life of your loved one, see how assisted living offers a solution. They’ll have all the freedom they’re used to, and you’ll rest assured they’re getting their basic needs met.
Skilled Nursing Is an Option for Those Needing Greater Levels of Care
As your loved one gets older, they’ll progress to a stage where they’ll require help with more than just basic needs and occasional reminders. Those dealing with an illness benefit from a level of skilled nursing that’s often found in nursing homes.
With skilled nursing, the levels of care increase. These medical professionals can diagnose potential problems. Giving suggestions about what treatments or medication offer the best course of help are some of the options.
For those that cannot move easily or even at all, skilled nursing homes help them get in and out of bed, attend meal times, and ensure medication gets passed out as needed or required.
Activities get offered to residents in an effort to keep them up and going and relieve the boredom that occurs when people aren’t able to get out as frequently.
Your family member may have their own room or share a room with another person. This depends on the nursing home, so take the time to research your options.
Some facilities provide field trips out or other programs that include live entertainment or the chance to meet various volunteer groups who visit them.
With this type of nursing care, you’ll feel confident that physical, emotional, and mental needs get taken care of while your loved one is housed with others in a similar situation.
Memory Care Focuses on Serving Dementia Patients
If your loved one develops dementia, they’ll need care that focuses on ensuring their daily needs get met and that they’re staying safe. Those who have this condition are prone to forget who they are and where they live.
Because the levels of care needed for your family member to stay safe are important, it’s crucial to seek a facility that provides dementia care. Dementia care offers assistance that focuses on specific guidance.
This helps for those dealing with the illness while ensuring they’re in a friendly environment where people understand what they’re going through.
Advanced care for dementia patients includes education for loved ones as well as environments that benefit the individual living with dementia.
Having these policies and various levels of care ensure your family member thrives in their environment, no matter what they’re going through.
It’s up to you to choose a facility that provides everything your loved one needs. Consult a doctor, call several centers, and make an informed decision.
Final Thoughts
If you’re dealing with an older family member facing these issues, it’s important to understand how their situation changes. This includes the type of care needed.
You’ll learn about different levels of care, and help your loved one transition through them. This offers a gradual progression for your loved ones, making the change easier for them.
If you believe your family member benefits from this but aren’t sure how to start the process, contact us. We can help you assess the type of care they need and get them started on the path to a new life in our of our facilities.
