There is a point in time when everyone needs a little extra help, support, or assistance. When you are looking at care options for an elderly relative, you can find that the options and choices available to you can feel overwhelming.
Trying to pick through the information and find the best option for a loved one can be challenging. Breaking down the process and taking it one step at a time will help you make the right decision for a loved one.
Assessing their Needs
Before commencing your search and looking at care options, it helps to know what an elderly relative’s needs are. For example, do they require assistance with dressing or with cooking nutritious meals? How much care do they need throughout any given day? Needs can vary, and this can have an impact on the care options available.
You can try and assess their needs by yourself through a period of monitoring. However, you can also reach out to social workers and other healthcare professionals.
Have them help you assess a loved one, and have them establish where their daily needs lie. They will be able to assess their needs and requirements better than you can, and they may notice something that you may have overlooked.
Looking at a Care Home
If round-the-clock care or additional care outside of working hours is needed for a loved one, you may want to start turning your search to look at a care home. A care home can give your loved one the support and assistance they need when they need it.
Different care homes offer a variety of services and levels of assistance, and you need to look again at what needs and requirements are. Getting the right signature care homes for your loved one is essential because you want them to enjoy their later life. Good care homes will allow your loved ones to enjoy a good standard of care, which should always be a priority in your search.
Assisted living facilities help in performing daily activities, like grooming, bathing, and medication management, while allowing residents to remain independent. These facilities typically offer private or shared apartments and provide meals, transportation, and social activities.
Having Home Visits or Home Care
If your elderly relative is still enjoying their independence at home, you have options. If they are seeking additional support or help for meal times or perhaps at bedtimes, then you may look at home visits.
Having a home carer or support worker visit an elderly relative several times throughout the day will allow them to retain independence. When you are looking for help in the home or home support, you need to look at the length of visits. Make sure visits are long enough to check on the well-being of a loved one.
Discussing Options With an Elderly Relative
When looking at patient care options for an elderly relative, it is important to engage them wherever you can. Get their thoughts and opinions on what is available, and listen to any concerns or doubts they may have. Involve them where you can, and encourage open communication. You will then find that this will help make any transition period just that little bit easier.
