Choosing Care for Older Loved Ones

by Expert Contributor Lindsey Poeth, CSA® Oasis Senior Advisors Mainline

As seniors age, day-to-day tasks like shopping for groceries, cooking meals, going up and down stairs or showering often become increasingly difficult. Without assistance, individuals can get themselves into dangerous situations, like a slip and fall that requires medical attention. There are two primary options available for seniors in this scenario: staying home with in-home care or moving to a senior living community. Here are some things to consider when choosing which path is right for you.

IN-HOME CARE (Hiring a Private-Duty Aide)

One of the first options many families consider is hiring an aide, either through a local agency or finding a caregiver on their own.

Some benefits to this approach:

• This allows the senior to stay in their home and in a familiar environment (a very common request for older adults).

• It’s less likely to disrupt daily routines.

• It can be cost effective, especially if the senior requires minimal care.

Some drawbacks:

• Private companies typically require 3–4 hours of minimum aid care, even if the senior only requires minimal care.

• If the caregiver is unable to work, the family may be left to fill in the role of caregiver, which is often one of the reasons for hiring the aide in the first place.

MOVING TO A SENIOR COMMUNITY

• A transition to a community providing Assisted Living/ Personal Care or Memory Care can be anxiety inducing for both the senior who needs care and for their adult children. For those who have made the move, it can be a new chapter that allows the senior to experience life on their terms in a safe and welcoming environment.

Here are a few benefits of transitioning into a senior living community:

• The community will create a personalized care plan for the individual, a plan that changes as the level of needed assistance changes.

• A higher level of engagement and socialization with their peers is possible. Often times, seniors can become isolated in their home, which can contribute to cognitive decline.

• All meals, housekeeping, utilities, engagement programming and local excursions are covered in the monthly pricing.

• You’ll have overall peace of mind knowing your loved one is cared for in a safe and welcoming environment.

Each option provides great benefits to the senior and their family, who can often fi nd themselves in the caregiving role. To help understand more about each option and to help assess which option may be best for your specific situation, contact an organization that specifically helps guide you through these decisions.

Expert Contributor Lindsey Poeth, CSA® Oasis Senior Advisors Mainline

We Make Finding the Right Senior Housing Simple!

www.OasisSeniorAdvisors.com/Mainline

484-947-4266

• LPoeth@YourOasisAdvisor.com

Call TODAY to learn more about our FREE Senior Housing Services!

The Oasis Process:

• No-obligation Consultation

• Identify Your Lifestyle Needs

• Help Reduce Your Monthly Costs

• Personalized List of Housing Options

• Set Up Tours of Each Community