Every aging adult has unique and evolving needs.
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Here the traditional Senior Living Options with brief descriptions.
- Aging In Place: staying in a private residence, but may need modifications or technology supports
- Aging in Place with minimal hired help and technology: Hire maintenance man, housekeeper, order groceries, hire driver or alternative transportation, robot vacuum, automatic medication dispensers, etc.
- Condo: Own place with significantly decreased difficult maintenance demands, but may still need hired help for housekeeping, small maintenance and caregiver for activities of daily living.
- Aging in Place with Caregivers: Hire caregivers for daily activities including bathing, dressing, meal prep
- Living with Family: Family members living with the aging adult or the older adult moving in with family members to offer support or work within financial restraints
- Retirement Living: cottages, apartments or condos especially geared towards older adults and usually provide improved accessibility and some safety features, also allows a sense of community
- Continuous Care Retirement Community (CCRC): Typically includes retirement housing, independent living, assisted living and sometimes a memory care or dementia option, skilled nursing facility and long term care (varies by facility), a CCRC may include all the options below on 1 campus
- Independent Living: More accessible apartment with safety features (emergency pull cords or buttons), provided housekeeping and meals, typically fosters a sense of community engagement
- Assisted Living: similar to Independent Living with increased support provides for activities of daily living (bathing, dressing, etc.) and there is call bells to request staff support. Some nursing services may be available (varies by facility)
- Memory Care: Assisted Living or skilled nursing unit that is locked and provides increased supervision, monitoring and assistance due to cognitive decline
- Skilled Nursing Facility: Nurse available at all times and is appropriate for people with several daily living and medical needs, may be short term for rehabilitation or a long term care facility and skilled nursing facility may be within the same facility
- Long Term Care Facility: Provides nursing and increased assistance for long terms needs and is especially importance for those requiring significant assistance for mobility and activities of daily living
Comfort care and end of life care can usually also be provided in any of the above living situations inlcuding:
- Palliative Care: Focus on quality of life for those with a chronic or debilitating illness
- Hospice Care: Focus on comfort near the end of life, also provides support for families and equipment
See out Transitions during Older Adulthood Presentation.
Hiring Caregivers or Companions
Provides assistance with bathing dressing, meal prep, transportation or meeting social and emotional needs
Caregivers can be hired to support an aging adult stay in their own home, assist at a family members home to decrease caregiver burden or even provide extra assistance at a retirement center.
Caregiving needs will be unique to each individual, but may include assistance with:
- Activities of Daily Living (ADLs): bathing, dressing, grooming, hygiene
- Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs): housekeeping, laundry, meal preparation, medication management (state laws apply), pet care
- Transportation
- Shopping
- Social or emotional support: visiting, assisting with engaging in leisure pursuits
It is important to ensure a good fit between the caregiver and aging adult, services needed are actually offered and to take steps to ensure safety for all parties.
Caregiver questions and fit will be discussed in upcoming posts.
Next: Creative and Alternative Living Options
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Aging Uniquely Health and Legal Disclaimer:
By continuing with this site, you are agreeing that you acknowledge and understand this disclaimer in full and will not hold Aging Uniquely, parent companies or content creators liable for the information or use of information on this site because everyone ages uniquely and has unique needs. The content on Aging Uniquely sites is for general information purposes only and Aging Uniquely does not provide medical or health advice. It is not a substitute for medical or health professional advice and you should never ignore professional medical advice or delay seeking emergency care because of something you read on the Aging Uniquely website or social media platforms. If you are experiencing a medical emergency call 911 or seek emergency services. Aging Uniquely is not responsible for what may happen if you use their information in place of medical or professional advice. You are responsible for your own health and safety or how you apply this advice to adults/older adults you support. I highly recommend you consult the proper qualified medical or health profession before implementing any information from Aging Uniquely or other health related websites.