Thursday, 13 February 2014

Eldercare: The Many Different Types Available

By Kristana Jenson


The decision to seek some type of eldercare is certainly one that you don't take lightly, and you are probably finding that selecting the right level of care is a bit stressful. After all, we want our loved ones to be as happy as possible and to make dealing with day-to-day challenges as easy as possible. Understanding what types of care are available can make it easy to select the most appropriate option for your family member.

If your family member needs constant nursing care, then a nursing home is certainly an option to consider. Also known as a convalescent home or skilled nursing facility, a nursing home provides around the clock medical supervision and care. While sometimes, a person needs to be at a nursing facility for a number of months or years, short-term nursing care is an option for those recovering from a fall, a stroke or some type of accident. Not only will they receive nursing care, but rehabilitative services also are available, helping them to transition out of nursing care as soon as possible.

While our mind and spirit might be strong, sometimes as we age it is necessary to let others lend a hand. When it becomes increasingly difficult to manage daily chores, it might be a good idea to consider an assisted living home. These are different from retirement homes in that they provide a much higher level of care. Some or all of your meals might be included, as well as cleaning services and laundry services. In addition, if you need help with daily grooming or bathing, this can be included in your monthly rates. In addition, an assisted living home provides a full schedule of social activities and amenities.

If you or your family member prefers to stay at home but still needs help with personal chores and household chores, you can also consider hiring in-home care. While this is a less social option, it might be just what you need to simply make day-to-day life a little bit easier. You can have someone prepare meals, clean the house, provide grooming and bath care and also run errands. This level of care and also assisted living generally are not covered by Medicaid, simply because there is no medical component of care. Some assisted living facilities do offer certain levels of nursing care that might be covered, but generally these costs are out-of-pocket expenses.

A third option and one that sort of combines the socializing of assisted living with the comfort of in-home care is a board & care option. This usually includes just five or six people in all with around the clock assistance for basic needs, as well as housekeeping, laundry and meal preparation. It can be homier than assisted living, which is a nice option for some people, but with a few other residents, there is more opportunity for social interaction.

It takes time to find the right facility for you or your loved one, and it can be helpful to use a service such as CarePlacement.com which takes into account all of your needs and your budget and looks for the best possible arrangement. Be sure to visit each facility yourself to determine if it is a place where you or your loved one will truly be comfortable.




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