As your senior loved one grows older, there will be many things they need your help with. At first, this may mean helping them run errands or doing things around the house. However, as they age, their needs will change, meaning you will have to decide what level of senior care they will benefit from the most.
Most seniors wish to remain in their homes for as long as possible. For seniors who can carry out activities of daily living (ADLs), this is a great choice. But not all seniors have this capability. When your senior loved one’s needs keep growing, this is a sign they are ready to move on to a higher level of senior care.
Fortunately, today there are many options and levels of senior care. The best way to determine the type of care that your senior loved one needs is to evaluate their medical, mental, and physical needs. To learn more about the types of care available, continue reading below.
Levels of Senior Care
Learning about the different types of care available to your senior loved one can help determine what kind of support and assistance would benefit them the most, based on their individual needs.
In-home care
This type of care allows a senior to remain in their homes for as long as possible. A senior can live independently with help from a caregiver or other in-home services. In some cases, this may mean minor assistance, but usually, as time goes on, their needs will increase, and the caregiver will need more extensive help and support. This is especially true if a senior loved one begins showing signs of memory loss.
Assisted living
Seniors who are ready for assisted living are those who are somewhat independent but can not live on their own safely. These seniors often have health issues, meaning they need medical care and access to an on-site nurse.
In an assisted living community, seniors will have access to around-the-clock care, dining services, life enrichment activities, socialization, and on-site physical, speech, and occupational therapy.
Memory care
Depending on the degree of memory loss your senior loved one may be enduring, at a memory care community such as The Kensington Redondo Beach, your loved one may live in one of two neighborhoods. Each neighborhood is specific to the stage of memory loss that they have and the support they require.
In the earliest stages of memory loss, a senior will still be somewhat independent. In contrast, in the later stages of memory loss, they will have lost most of their independence and need much more support. This is why it is most beneficial to find a memory care community that offers specialized and customized care.
When should your senior loved one make the transition to assisted living or memory care?
It can be challenging to decide on the right time to transition your senior loved one over to a memory care community. Seniors experience dementia differently, and some may stay in the earlier stages of the disease longer than others. Sometimes, seniors will believe that they are doing well where they are and may be reluctant to make any transitions.
When you notice your loved one struggles more often, is scared, confused, or getting lost, these may be signs that they need additional support.
While a memory care community is similar to an assisted living community, it has significant differences. In a memory care community, staff are specially trained to reduce overstimulation and upsetting situations for someone with Alzheimer’s.
Benefits for the caregiver
Being a caregiver can be emotionally, mentally, and physically exhausting. While it can be rewarding and one of the most loving and compassionate things you do for your senior loved one, it can also still lead to negative feelings. This is normal, though many caregivers feel guilt over it.
When you transition your senior loved one to a higher level of care, you will be giving yourself more freedom and a chance to maintain a healthier relationship with them. Taking care of yourself is just as crucial as offering care to your loved one. By removing the stress from your relationship with your loved one, it will allow you to spend more quality time together.
You will no longer need to worry about caregiver burnout when you realize other help and support is available. At first, it may feel like you are letting your senior down, but you will be doing the opposite. They will be able to receive an amount of care that you alone are unable to provide. One person can only do so much.
A higher level of senior care means that your loved one will have an entire team of staff, therapists, and nurses to assist them. Accepting that your senior loved one’s Alzheimer’s or dementia has progressed to the point where they need more assistance will make you feel much better about them transitioning.
Finding the right care for your loved one
At The Kensington Redondo Beach, we Promise to love and care for your family as we do our own. We know that as seniors age, their needs increase, and The Kensington Redondo Beach is quick to adapt to those changes.
We allow our residents to age in place, enjoy nutritious dining services and life enrichment activities while motivating them to socialize and maintain as much independence as possible. These are all a part of maintaining their health and well-being.
While you may have been initially hesitant to send your senior loved one to an assisted living or memory care community, sometimes it can be the best thing for them and yourself. Understanding the different levels of senior care and how the benefits outweigh the disadvantages will help you realize you are making the best choice.
To learn more about our safe and loving communities, contact us today, and we will be happy to answer any questions and concerns.
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To learn more about our exceptional assisted living and memory care at The Kensington Redondo Beach, click below or give us a call today for any questions. We promise to love and care for your family, as we do our own.