Selecting Long-Term Care for Senior Adults

Several levels of long-term care exist. With all the options available, selecting a long-term care service for senior adults can be overwhelming. However, when considering these long-term care options, take time to carefully research each one. Get to know what to expect from each level of care in order to find one most suited to your situation. Long-term care ranges from scheduled help around the house to 24-hour care in a nursing home. The point of long-term care is to help senior adults maintain as much of their independence as possible while keeping them safe as well.

Home care includes medical care. Home health aides or nurses visit daily to help administer medication and check stats, such as heart rate, sugar levels, and blood pressure. They can also assist senior adults with bathing and dressing as well as with housekeeping, meals, and shopping, if needed. Adult care programs are a type of long-term care that offers social interaction and meals from one to five days a week, depending on the program. Some of these adult care programs provide transportation to and from the care center. Some will also offer medical services, such as help taking medications or checking blood pressure. Activities include exercises, games, trips, crafts, and music.

If senior adults can no longer live in their home for whatever reason, yet function well without continuous care, consider retirement or senior housing. These are usually rental apartments adapted especially for senior adults, equipped with bathroom railings and other safety features. Many types of senior housing communities include services such as meals, transportation, housekeeping, and other activities. If senior adults need more help than senior housing offers, but wish to remain independent, consider assisted living. Assisted living staff members can help senior adults take their medications as well as assist them with bathing and dressing. Some assisted living facilities also have on-site beauty shops and health services. Nursing homes offer 24-hour care for senior adults recovering from an illness or injury. They also offer end-of-life care. Nursing home services are generally for senior adults requiring more medical care than other long-term care providers can offer, including wound care, rehabilitative therapy, and personal care.

Decide what level of service is required. Do they need help with everyday chores or nursing care? Decide how much you can afford. Who will be paying for the long-term care? Is Medicare or Medicaid accepted? Make a list of facilities within close proximity of your home. Inquire about monthly fees, available services, and whether or not you'll have to pay extra for them. Schedule a tour of the facility and take notes. Is it safe and friendly? Do current residents seem happy? Are there enough caregivers on staff? What are the rooms like? Don't hesitate to ask questions regarding facility rules, visitors, staff training, etc. Observe staff members while they're working and talk with the residents. More importantly, make a call to the Better Business Bureau to find out if any complaints have been filed against the facility.

The idea of leaving their home or receiving in-home help can be very distressing for senior adults so try to include them as much as possible in the selection of a reputable long-term care service. Senior adults want to be treated with respect. Allow them to have as much input as possible, after all, it's their life. Make them feel safe and comfortable.