If you were to ask any number of people why they don’t consider senior care, regardless of what type it is, how might they answer? Could it be that some people will refuse any type of senior care because they don’t know all available options?
“How can I possibly choose?” one person may say. “I would need to know about every single one before I could choose between them all.”
Excuses help people avoid the topic.
It’s easier to make excuses than to sit down and go over whatever information you do have in front of you. Instead of deciding that senior care of some type would be better than no care at all, there is a percentage of the population that will claim and maybe even believe they need to know about all options before they can make a decision.
Under the umbrella of “senior care” are many options. It might be independent living, assisted living, nursing home care, home care, and so forth.
Do you think somebody actually knows a great deal about all of those options? Most people who depend on senior care know very little about even just one or two of those subjects.
Yet, they make a decision. And, for the most part, many seniors are happy with the decisions they make when it pertains to senior care options.
How do you make a decision about senior care?
First, you need to understand the needs of the individual. Whether this is for yourself, an aging parent, spouse, or somebody else you care about, what do they struggle with?
Does this person need significant medical care? Is it something that overwhelms even home health care providers? Then a nursing home may be an option.
What about for those dealing with dementia, such as Alzheimer’s? As the disease progresses, the requirements on caregivers is going to increase. For that, a memory care assisted living community may be a better option. However, in-home care can also be a great asset that allows people to remain where they are most comfortable: home.
The first thing you need to do is understand the needs of that person who requires assistance.
Second, get a basic understanding of what reasonable options are available. Somebody who has a chronic, but manageable health issue is not going to need nursing home care. In fact, they should be able to remain home with the assistance of an in-home senior care aide.
Third, talk to the senior. Some families make the decision themselves, but as long as an aging person is lucid and cogent, they should be able to make that choice for themselves.