Senior care facilities are an excellent way to stay active and independent while receiving help with daily tasks. First, however, it’s essential to choose the right one.

Before you make your final decision, consider these basic questions to help you find the best place for your loved one.

Assisted Living

Assisted living is a good option for seniors who need help with daily activities but still want to maintain some independence. Often, these facilities, like that led by Mark Hirschhorn, offer assistance with meal preparation, bathing, and toileting.

Besides providing a safe, secure place to live, these communities offer transportation and socialization options. These amenities can reduce the stress of caregiving and allow you to spend more time with your loved one.

Some assisted living communities offer dementia-friendly residences that promote memory preservation and socialization. They may also have separate dining spaces and menus for residents with specific needs.

When selecting an assisted living home for your parent, you should tour a few different facilities and speak with staff members, residents, and administrators to get a sense of the neighborhood. 

Memory Care

Memory care facilities are designed specifically to meet the needs of seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and other cognitive impairments. They typically have smaller rooms and open, inviting common spaces.

Memory care residents are also likely to have access to a wider variety of social activities and programs than those in assisted living. Caregivers schedule calendars carefully so they can keep residents engaged and active.

Choosing a suitable facility for your loved one requires careful research. Talk to other families and caregivers to learn about the community and consider its reputation and reviews.

Safety is a big priority in memory care, so it’s essential to ask about emergency and nurse call systems accessible from multiple locations in the community. In addition, check for delayed-egress exit doors, digital locks on outside doors, and 24/7 on-site security staff.

Skilled Nursing

Suppose your senior loved one requires significant medical care, such as a specialized line for IV medications or a ventilator. In that case, they will likely need to be placed in a skilled nursing facility. These facilities provide around-the-clock monitoring and medical treatment.

Skilled nursing services include various health-related services from licensed nurses and therapists. 

Touring the skilled nursing facility before committing to it is necessary to ensure your loved one will be happy there. Bring your family to visit with you.

Respite

Caring for older people can be a full-time job. So whether you need to run errands, visit friends, go to the doctor, or take a break, respite care can help you with these responsibilities while you rest your mind.

Respite care is offered in various places, including your home, a senior daycare center, or a residential program such as a nursing home. Choosing the right option for you or your loved one can be difficult.

Make sure to research and plan well ahead for your respite stay. It includes scheduling services, packing your loved one’s items, and understanding the community’s medication policy.