Which option makes sense for your loved one?
When deciding how to help an aging loved one, it’s hard to know which option would work best. Can you care for them at home? Would adding personal home care services for seniors help? Should they go to a community? If so, what is personal care? What are the benefits of a Personal Care community?
Option 1: Staying at home
According to the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), 90% of people 65-plus want to stay at home for as long as possible. But that might not always be the best idea. If you’re trying to figure out how to know when it’s time for assisted living or personal home care for seniors, here’s some guidance. In general, if your loved one has difficulty with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), such as grooming, household upkeep, mood and health changes, etc., you may consider a homelike setting designed just for seniors, that can provide more personal care.
However, if you want to make staying at home work, consider that you may have to make changes: replacing door knobs to make them easier to turn, adding grab bars, installing a ramp for wheelchair accessibility and possibly widening doorways. And there may be a toll on the emotional, physical and financial well-being of you and your family.
Option 2: Hiring an at-home service
If you decide to hire in-home care services, some of it will be covered by Medicaid and Medicare. But there are specific guidelines, qualifications and service lengths to consider, so check with your local Medicaid and Medicare office.
Another fact to weigh before you decide is a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services study found 70% of people 65 or older will need some type of long-term care in their lifetimes.
Option 3: A Personal Care community
If your loved one needs a higher level of care than you or a home care service can provide, you may want to consider a Personal Care community. Communities like Green Hills Manor offer seniors a way to enjoy an active lifestyle with the added benefit of professional assistance when needed.
In Pennsylvania, Senior Personal Care communities are inspected and licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, and are designed and licensed to provide:
- On- and off-site group activities to promote resident interaction
- Assistance with personal care, such as bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring from chairs and beds
- Medication management
- Meal preparation
- Housekeeping
- Transportation
- General health maintenance and arrangement of health care services by other professionals (Green Hills Manor provides health care services through certified nursing assistants)
When a resident’s care requires medical assistance beyond what the community is licensed to provide, the resident is typically transferred to skilled nursing as a permanent resident.
While the decision may be difficult, knowing and exploring your options will help you find the right fit for your loved one. If you’d like to discuss your options in more depth, fill out the Contact Us form on this page or call us at 484.577.3515.
