Types of Senior Care Services

Old age is one of the most challenging adjustment phases in life. Similar to a baby struggling to walk, an elderly person also struggles with the gradual decline of the body and mind. A person who grows old not only has to adjust to the physical fragilities of the body but also succumb to emotional and psychological conditions related to aging such as depression, insomnia, loneliness, feelings of abandonment and hopelessness. Witnessing the gradual decline in an elderly parent or loved one as a result of old age and age-related disease is certainly heartbreaking for family members.

When a loved one faces aging issues and deteriorating health conditions, he or she requires special senior care and attention, which can range from round-the-clock medical care or just day care assistance on daily chores. There is a variety of elderly care options available today and the choice of care is entirely dependent upon the physical condition of one’s loved one as well as lifestyle preferences.

In-Home Care

More than 80 percent of seniors who are surveyed prefer to live in familiar surroundings such as their own homes or their children’s homes. Staying at home or with their families enables them to spend time with their loved ones and allows them independence and privacy. Options of elderly care available for seniors staying in their own homes are as follows:

• Round-the-clock medical care for patients who require nursing care as well as special assistance in bathing, grooming, meal preparation and adhering to strict medication regime;

• Live-in non medical caregiver who assists in daily chores such as cleaning, cooking, laundry, bathing, grooming, dispensing medication and performing errands such as grocery shopping or walking the dog;

• A day time companion who performs the daily chores and errands but does not stay in with the senior;

• Caregivers who provide only housekeeping and meal delivery services.

Senior Home Care

There are also high quality elderly care services offered in nursing homes, assisted living homes for seniors, retirement communities and adult care homes. Homes catered for seniors often provide recreational facilities, amenities and a great community environment for seniors to mingle. They also provide different levels of care depending on the physical condition of their residents. For example, certain assisted living communities are specially catered to seniors who suffer from Alzheimer’s and therefore provide in-house medical staff with special nursing care facilities and amenities that are suited for such a condition.

Nursing homes generally provide higher degree of medical care as they often house patients who suffer from chronic illnesses, stroke or age-related medical conditions that require round-the-clock medical attention. It is useful to bear in mind that one’s physical condition weakens as age advances. According to a survey published in the United States Census Bureau, the number of seniors age 85 and above living in nursing homes is four times higher than the number of seniors between ages 75 and 84. It is natural to assume that senior care cost will increase in tandem with age.

Other than nursing homes, assisted living and adult care homes also offer assistance in daily chores such as grooming, bathing, cleaning, laundry and meal preparation but many do not have in-house medical care and nursing services. Prior to registering one’s loved one in a facility, it is important to carefully review the list of care services that are included in the package to prevent paying extra ‘hidden’ cost for services that may be overlooked.

Hospice Care

Elderly patients who are suffering from certain incurable diseases and are at the end phases of their lives should be provided with hospice care, where attention are given to the patients’ physical, spiritual and emotional needs. Needless to say, arranging for hospice care for a loved one is a heartbreaking task but it is one that ensures one’s loved one receive the best care and comfort during the final phase of life.

The type and level of senior care required largely depends on one’s age and physical condition. It is important to discuss the possibilities beforehand with one’s loved one and be open to listen to opinions and preferences in order to reach an amicable decision. As care for one’s aging parent or loved one is not a short term affair, coming up with a long term financial solution in order to ensure care is not discontinued along the way is very crucial during the planning stage.

We’ve worked with assisted living homes, nursing homes, residential care homes in: Portland, Vancouver, Wa, Beaverton, Hilsboro, Gresham,  Tigard, Tualatin, Newberg, McMinnville, Longview, Wa and other communities in the area