Residential Choices for Senior Living

Posted by Donna Mae Scheib on October 06, 2016

Residential Choices for Senior Living

Many factors influence where seniors choose to live. If seniors are relatively healthy and working at their usual jobs surrounded by familiar colleagues (some of whom have become friends) until the specified retirement age (usually 65), the fact that they are now classified as seniors does not immediately make much of an impact on them. There are, however, things they will miss.

Getting up and going to work for years has certainly become a deeply ingrained habit, and habits can be difficult to break. They almost immediately miss the comradeship of their former colleagues during coffee and lunch breaks.  If they received a liveable pension with benefits, fine; if not, they will need to reduce their expenditures.  If a significant reduction needs to take place, they may not, in this time of transition, make the wisest choices. In that case, seeing a financial advisor might be a good route to take.  Also, if the retiree has a good support group, they can also help.  Quite often, depending upon how much help the retiree requires, the children get involved to a greater or lesser degree.  In most cases, the children have children of their own for whom they are responsible.  In other words, the retiree’s children have to take care of their own children and now their parent(s) as well. This is why, years ago already, the term, “the sandwich generation”was coined.

If the retiree does not have health benefits, getting some, if at all possible, should be close to the top of the list. However, sometimes the retiree can no longer afford the dwelling in which they may have lived for years.  Sometimes this problem is easily solved by having the retiree live in a children’s small, but self-contained and fairly private basement suite.  This living arrangement also permits the children to check on their mother (or father) to see if she is alright and extend help as soon as possible if she is not.  It also makes the retiree feel more secure and less alone.  The children can also help with any needed housework that the retiree can no longer do, as well as shop for groceries and any other necessary items. Gradually, the senior may require some help with taking a bath, washing their hair, cutting their toe nails, and remembering to take their medicine. With willingness and cooperation on the part of everyone, all this can be handled.  However, the day may come when this is no longer possible.  Outside help—such as care aids and visiting nurses—may be needed. All of this is, however, quite disruptive for the family, including the retiree’s grandchildren.  Consequently, everyone may come to the decision that living with the children is no longer the best solution.  So, they go and check out what is available, something which most people should apprise themselves of long before the need is dire.

Independent Senior Residences

Broadly speaking, there are independent and assisted living senior residences as well as, eventually—if needed—nursing homes.  Independent homes are, basically, what the name implies.  The residents receive three delicious and nutritious meals and morning and afternoon snacks. They also have their rooms  maintained and cleaned weekly. A variety of activities are planned and a bus is available to take residents to their appointments.  Some of these residences can be quite luxurious.  However, if this is not within a family’s budget, there are also smaller (six to eight residents) that are not as luxurious and do not have as many activities.

Assisted Living Residences

Assisted living residences are, basically, the same as independent facilities with the exception that a visiting nurse—with the advice of the resident’s doctor—authorizes a care aid to help the resident with all necessary hygiene matters and to get up and dressed as well as to go to bed for the night.

Care Aids

Care aids, although well trained, are not considered medical personnel.  Consequently, when a resident reaches the stage where IVs, injections, etcetera, are required, the resident is normally moved to a nursing home where nurses are on staff and doctors visit periodically. The fee is usually based on what a patient can afford.  Check the reputation of some of the available nursing homes; as with all facilities, because they differ in quality.

Need Help Understanding What Kind of Home is Right for Your Loved One?

At Senior Living Link we are always looking to help families know how to take care of their loved ones. Contact us or give us a call at 1-844-480-8572 to for help in anyway.