Residential Care Options for Elderly Persons
Residence Choices for Seniors Include More than Nursing Homes
Aug 9, 2009
Seniors are on the move these days. People who are advanced in age don't have to live the remaining years of a good life sitting idle in a rocking chair. As baby-boomers retire and grow old, these active seniors want to continue the action during the golden years.
Some elderly people prefer not to live in the same house with grown children and their families because of the noise or a clash in lifestyle. Other seniors may require extensive care-giving, timely medical treatments, or supervision during the day, making it dangerous or impossible to live with family members who are rarely home. But even the latter group can get as much out of life as possible and can indulge in as much pleasure as the situation allows.
Residential Living for Elderly People
Not all elderly people have families. Some of those older people that do have family prefer not to live with adult children, nieces, nephews, or grandchildren. Here are a few ideas for elderly living:
- Retirement Communities. Some regions dedicate entire residential communities to senior living. For example, Sun City West is Arizona's finest golf retirement community. Located near Phoenix, this fabulous resort-style setting is inhabited by golden age seniors who aren't ready to slow down. The community is entirely self-contained and self-governed.
- Assisted Living Facilities. Apartment living offers independence, yet elderly clients can request assistance with meals, housekeeping, and transportation. Some residences offer recreation programs and host social events. Assisted living facilities may or may not offer nursing or other medical services.
- Residential Care Facilities. RCFs for the elderly are designed for people who cannot live alone but want to maintain some measurable control over their lives. Help with personal care is provided as well as assistance with meals and other daily living tasks. There is a staff on call around the clock, but no skilled nursing.
- Skilled Nursing Facilities. Skilled nursing facilities are equipped to administer medical care such as giving medications and providing other services within the realm of nursing duties. Some facilities may provide rehabilitative therapies.
- Nursing Homes. Nursing homes provide medical care for people who cannot manage medical or personal needs at home, but who do not need hospitalization. The Web site, MedlinePlus, under the topic "Nursing Homes," (no author given), offers a description of modern nursing home facilities: "The staff provides medical care, as well as physical, speech and occupational therapy. There might be a nurses' station on each floor. Other nursing homes try to be more like home. They try to have a neighborhood feel. Often, they don't have a fixed day-to-day schedule, and kitchens might be open to residents."
Selecting a Residential Facility for an Elderly Family Member
Selection of an appropriate residence for an elderly person requires thought and planning. Considerations include medical needs, safety issues, the extent of supervision, and the aged person's personal preferences for surroundings.
Cost and insurance coverage is another issue that often determines the quality of residential living for persons of advanced age. Unfortunately, some individual state programs and federal programs don't cover all the facilities mentioned in this article. Private pay facilities can be costly, even with substantial retirement benefits.
In addition to the facilities listed above, there are other residential options for people who are elderly.
Living in an adult child's home or another relative's home may be an only choice for some people. When there is no alternative:
- The elderly person may be able to participate in an adult day program.
- Easter Seals Disability Services offers day services for elderly persons, as well as support for caregivers of elderly family members.
- Home healthcare agencies provide private duty caregivers, sitters, respite workers, and companions for elderly persons.
Solutions vary widely for elderly residential living, and some places are more attractive than others. Many active seniors prefer minimal assistance, living as independently as possible. When a family member is asked to make living arrangements for an elderly person, consideration must be given to the medical needs, safety issues, personal interests, and the level of ability the person has to care for himself.
When there is no alternative and the elderly person must live with family members, caregivers may find help from Easter Seals, caregiver agencies, and possibly adult daycare programs. Finding senior care living accommodations for an elderly person may take a fair amount of research and the final solution may be determined by ability to pay. Caregiver support services can offer living recommendations and possible ideas that may help everyone concerned reach an acceptable decision.
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