Many Options Available For Senior Care

Senior Helpers Reviews the Options: What You Need to Know to Make a Decision

One of the most difficult decisions that so many families need to make is finding the best and safest living arrangement for a senior. Here are some options to consider:

Independent Living Communities

These communities are an excellent choice for seniors who can live alone without much support. The senior has the option of cooking because each apartment comes with a kitchen. However, seniors can also decide to have meals in a common dining room. There is a continuing schedule of activities that provide residents the opportunity to socialize with other members of the community. Some seniors may decide to also have a caregiver to help keep them safe, happy and in place.

Assisted Living

If a senior needs help with daily living activities such as dressing, bathing, toileting and walking, an assisted living community may be best. An assessment will be conducted by the facility staff before acceptance to ensure that the need level of the individual matches with the support offered by the facility.

Here, seniors can socialize and find an array of activities such as bingo, movies, discussion groups, card games and more. A skilled medical staff is available daily. Meals and housekeeping are included in the fees.

Skilled Nursing Facilities

This type of facility is for seniors who require continual nursing care and have significant difficulty coping with the activities of daily living - bathing, walking, dressing, toileting and eating. Nursing aides and nurses are usually available 24-hours a day. Residents in a skilled nursing facility may also receive physical, occupational and other rehabilitative therapies.

Memory Care Facilities

There are may new memory care senor living communities that offer special programming and often a higher staff-to-patient ratio. These facilities focus on activities the senior can do to try to keep their memory as sharp as possible. Most of these have a locked-entry/exit system to keep residents from wandering out of the property and endangering themselves. A skilled medical staff is available.

In-home Care

"According to research by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), nearly 90 percent of seniors want to stay in their own homes as they age," said Area General Manager Robert Bicanic of the Northbrook-based Senior Helpers office serving the north and northwest suburbs.

"Schedules can vary from one hour per week up to 24-7 assistance. The schedule and the services provided are customized to meet the needs of each client." Services provided include: walking assistance, bathing and dressing, Alzheimer's/dementia care, cooking and cleaning, medicine reminders, driving, errands and companionship.

Senior Helpers offers a Free Initial Assessment to help determine what kind and level of care is needed, and where it might be provided.

If you are concerned about yourself or a loved one, call (847) 564-7500 or email Robert Bicanic at rbicanic@seniorhelpers.com to arrange for a free assessment.

You may also visit their website at www.seniorhelpers.com.