When our elderly parents, grandparents or other relatives become unable to take care of themselves in their usual self-sufficient way, it may be time to start thinking of a care facility or nursing home for them. The most important issue is finding GOOD care for the elderly, care you and your elder can trust! Nobody likes to think that they aren’t as able as they once were but many people who have entered group homes or obtained assistance at home have found it to be a positive and empowering experience rather than a negative one. Below are some tips on how to find good care for the elderly that will assist you in your search and calm any fears you may have.
Remember, above all, that you want to find a facility or level of home care that ensures they will be treated like equals and with the respect they deserve. This is a great confidence booster and will make sure that your loved ones feel loved and accepted well into their twilight years.
Before we begin, a word on mental clutter and neuroses: Ignore the horror stories. Remember bad news spreads like wildfire. You CAN find good care for the elderly. Approach this issue with a positive mind and you are sure to feel satisfied with the outcome. Start by making sure your elder really does need help and that you are not just being over-protective.
Your elder needs help if:
* You are constantly worried about them.
* Will they hurt themselves or forget to turn the stove off?
* Will they fall down and not be able to call for help?
* Will they take their medication incorrectly or forget to take it?
* Will they eat enough of the right foods or eat at all?
* Will they have a road accident?
* Will they dislike or resent you if you interfere?
If you know in your heart of hearts that they really can’t live alone anymore, you may already have considered having them come and live with you and your family. If you have, ask yourself the questions below to establish your feelings on the subject:
* Will they live in your home? If so, how will that impact on your family?
* Will you need to hire a person to care for your elder (housekeeper, care manager?).
* Are they suited for a retirement home? Will they agree or oppose the idea?
* How will you manage the costs involved in finding good care for the elderly?
Most of us will eventually have to face up to the fact that our parents are aging and when that happens the best thing you can do is own up to your feelings, deal with them in an optimistic way and set about finding a good care environment for your elder. It may not be easy but it IS constructive and there are many ways to address the situation that aren’t as scary as you may think.
Where to Start in Finding Good Care for the Elderly
There are four relatively simple steps you can take to find good care for the elderly, both in this life phase and as they continue to age.
You need to:
*Assess the Situation
Think about the level of care that will best suit your elder. Inadequate care will leave your elder neglected or even abused. Care that is too intense is, likewise, not recommended as it can result in a rapid decline in physical and mental ability.
Evaluate Facilities to Find the Best Care
Choosing the care facility that best suits you can be tricky but The Best is Yet.net has written a wonderful guide called: ‘How to Find Great Senior Housing: A Roadmap for Elders and Those Who Love Them’. This tool will provide you with assistance in finding the easiest, fastest, and most affordable elder care that meets your needs.
The guide contains no less than sixteen checklists and worksheets that make sure that all the right questions are asked and ensure you understand the signs that point to a great facility or care program.
There are four appendices included listing critical contacts you will need after you have decided on the care that best suits your elder.
Find Support
The stress of care giving takes its toll on you too. In fact the death rate amongst those who take care of elders is 63% higher than that of similarly aged people who don’t. Remember to take care of your needs in addition to those of your loved one. The site listed above has a wealth of information to assist you in avoiding burnout including articles, newsletter, books and links or just some games to help you relax. The bulletin board will give you an opportunity to share your story and get support from others in the same situation. Good care for the elderly also means making sure you are cared for!
You can find The Best Is Yet.net at: http://www.thebestisyet.net
Other Useful Organizations
American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging
http://www.aahsa.org
A national organization that represents 5600 not-for-profit nursing homes, continuing care retirement communities, assisted living residences, senior housing facilities and community service homes for elderly people. Consult their web site for a locator page that helps find good care for the elderly near the patient’s home.
Assisted Living Federation of America
http://www.alfa.com
The only national organization catering exclusively to assisted living facilities and their residents. Their web site features a locator for facilities anywhere in the United States.
Assisted Living Online
http://www.assistedlivingonline.com
This website is complied by Senior Living Marketing and Management – a company which manages assisted living facilities and is a resource directory of assisted living, retirement centers and other resources.
A site like The Best Is Yet.net and the others listed on this page provide a positive resource for those seeking to find good care for the elderly and we suggest you use it to make your life a little easier. You can make a positive start today by following the simple steps discussed here. You CAN find good care for the elderly without getting tied into knots of stress and strain. Don’t forget to take care of YOU too!