There is nothing difficult to see than a loved one aging while experiencing all sorts of challenges that comes with old age such as physical and mental decline. In this case, the aged is left with no choice than to largely depend on the rest of the family for care and support. This means considering long term care solutions for your loved one’s medical needs as well as daily life activities such as washing, laundry, cooking and many more. Long-term care is provided in different settings including residential, community or other specialized care facilities.
It’s estimated that about 52% of people turning age 65 will need some type of long-term care services in their lifetimes. Therefore, it’s a decision you’ll probably have to consider someday, and knowing what to look for when choosing a long term care facility can make the whole process much simpler. However, keep in mind that quality in the level of care offered by these facilities varies a lot but the services are designed to suit the specific needs of a patient. Here are the main types of long term care facilities for your aged or disabled loved one.
1. Skilled Nursing Facility
The first option many people think of when looking for long-term care is skilled nursing facilities or nursing homes. These are in-patients rehabilitation centers with full-time trained and experienced medical staff offering round-the-clock support and emergency care. Considering nursing homes vary a lot in terms of the level of care, size, and amenities, you have plenty of choices available to make an informed decision on what’s best for your loved one.
Skilled nursing facilities offer a range of physical rehabilitation therapies. In addition to long-term care for the aged, some of these facilities also host people with short-term needs, especially those with serious injuries and illness and need a few months of recovering.
2. In-Home Care Facilities
This is a popular long-term care solution for aging adults who opt to receive care at their home with just a few adjustments made to the house to suit their changing conditions. An in-home care facility is more cost-effective than other long-term care such as skilled nursing facilities, and family plays an important role in jointly taking care of the needs of their aged or disabled parents. In this kind of setting, cooperation, respect, and commitment are key from both the caregivers and patients to ensure an ideal caring environment for the necessary level of care.
Some of the important adjustments you can consider to make the home health care services available for the aged include accessible stairs, elevators, and railings. You may also need to move all the essential elements such as washroom and bedroom on lower floors for more convenience when moving around. Move all appliances to create way and dangerous fitting around must be fastened for a safe environment. The best thing about in-home assisted living is that you can hire a professional caregiver or skilled nurse to help with the care. This is a good option if you don’t want to burden any member of the family with all the task of having to take care of a senior.
3. Residential Assisted Living
Unlike skilled nursing facilities that are relatively restricted, an assisted living facility offers more convenience and flexibility, though the services may be similar. Essentially, a person is given a room fitted with all special amenities like and access to shared spaces within the complex. Some of the main services offered in a residential assisted living include medical help, security, and daily routine tasks.
How Has Long-Term Care Changed Over The Years
With the increased need for long-term care, the industry has seen tremendous growth in terms of qualified medical supporting personnel and job opportunities for those working in the in-home care facility; this is in addition to career opportunities as a doctor or caregiver nurse. The growing senior population will continue to increase the demand for these specialized facilities around the world.
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