A Guide to the Different Types of Senior Care: Finding the Right Option
It’s common for people to need additional assistance when they get older, whether that’s help with mobility or full-time care due to something like dementia. It’s unfortunate, but it’s a fact of life.
The good news is that there are plenty of different types of excellent care on offer for seniors to ensure they can live as happily and comfortably as possible.
Are you struggling to choose the right kind of care for yourself or your loved one? Consider the following options.
Assisted Living
Assisted living involves living in a dedicated residential space with assistance and care when necessary. This type of care allows for plenty of independence – the resident can live in a self-contained flat while still gaining access to the care they need.
This type of care is typically best for seniors who may need a small amount of daily care but can generally get by independently. For example, a person with mild memory loss may be able to thrive in assisted living.
Respite Care
Respite care is short-term care in which the senior receives an in-home carer or moves to a care home temporarily. This is usually used after a senior sustains an injury or an illness but will likely get better and no longer need assistance before too long. Seniors can also use it to familiarise themselves with a potential care home.
For example, Signature Care Home in Ascot is a luxury care home that offers respite care. A senior could choose respite care to get to know what the care home is like, from its environment to its activities.
In-home Care
In-home care is when a senior receives support from a carer in their own home. It’s a very popular option as it allows the person to live in their home, so they don’t have to deal with a significant transition. The carer might administer medications, help with daily activities like bathing, or assist them with getting out and about.
Nursing Homes
Nursing homes are among the most popular types of senior care, as they allow around-the-clock care whenever the senior needs it. In a nursing home, the residents all live in one residential accommodation, where they will have access to nutritious meals, activities (like gardening and reading), social spaces, and – of course – healthcare.
Usually, seniors in nursing homes have more complex needs that require more focused care.
Dementia Care
Dementia care is specified because the needs of a dementia patient are so particular. Dementia patients need lots of care. Many need help with eating, bathing, and walking. They also need a very stress-free environment, as it’s common for dementia patients to get worked up and overstimulated. That’s what dementia care offers.
End-of-life Care
Not every type of care is about extending life – when a senior is towards the end of their life, it’s generally better to help them live comfortably until the end. That’s what end-of-life care does; it’s about making the patient feel comfortable, safe, and content in their last months of life.
It’s about maintaining dignity while ensuring no pain is felt. This is a highly specialized kind of care and is for patients who are likely going to die within a year.
If you’re still unsure which type of care is best for you or your loved one, it’s worth checking out different care options (perhaps visiting care homes) and speaking to a doctor.
It’s important to receive the right care in later years. That way, you or your loved one can enjoy being a senior while gaining access to necessary medical care.
