Exploring the Different Types of Living Assistance Solutions for Seniors in Gastonia, NC

Understanding how each type of care works can help you and your loved one make informed living assistance decisions that best meet your unique needs

Choosing the best kind of living assistance for your senior loved one can be challenging without understanding how each type of care works. Depending on your aging parent or relative’s specific care needs, medical condition, living situation, and other factors, they can opt for a wide range of care solutions, from home care to nursing homes and other senior facilities. To help your family make the best possible decision, we will outline each available option.

Home Care Services

In recent years, home care services have become one of the most popular options among seniors. This type of living assistance arrangement allows seniors to maintain independence as they age, receiving all the care and support they need in the comfort of their home. Home care typically includes services such as meal preparation, medication reminders, assistance with personal care and hygiene, running errands, housekeeping, and more. In addition to enabling seniors to lead more active and fulfilled lives, home care is also one of the most affordable care solutions available.

A unique feature of home care services is that a senior’s care plan is easily adapted to incorporate new services as their needs progress. For seniors recovering from surgery, living with chronic health conditions, or in the early stages of dementia, home care services may start out with simple companionship and mobility assistance. As their needs become more involved, seniors can receive help with bathing, grooming, toileting and incontinence care from the same compassionate caregivers that have come to know and trust – all while remaining in the comfort of home.

Home Health Care

Home health care is also provided in the client’s home, but it differs from home care in that it includes skilled health care services recommended by a doctor. This kind of living assistance features services such as wound care, IV therapy, monitoring and managing serious health problems, and more. Home health care is more expensive than home care but often more affordable than other solutions that involve seniors moving to a senior-centered facility.

Assisted Living Communities

Assisted living facilities are senior housing options that provide a wide array of services, including meals, medication management, help with personal care, transportation, and more. A lot of assisted living facilities are also equipped to offer care for seniors with dementia and other age-related diseases and illnesses. This type of living assistance can be a good choice for older adults who need support throughout the day but still wish to socialize and participate in senior-friendly activities.

Assisted living facilities can seniors to remain active, both physically and socially. A downside to this type of care is that it requires seniors to move into a new setting, which can be costly and disruptive to their chosen routines. Families may be limited in their ability to visit loved ones in assisted living facilities or make decisions concerning their loved one’s care.

Nursing Home

Nursing homes have long been the only option for seniors requiring extensive care. Today, they can be the right solution for older adults who need 24-hour care and assistance, that is, for seniors who cannot receive care at home but also do not need to be in a hospital. Nursing homes provide services such as medical care, various kinds of therapy, meals, hospice care, and more. While some people go to nursing homes to recover and then move back home, the majority of residents in nursing homes live there permanently. Nursing homes are also the most expensive living assistance option.

Your Loved One Has Options

As you can see, your loved one has several options at their disposal. There are many things to consider when choosing the best care option for your loved one’s unique situation. Think about the type of care they need right now as well as the type of care they may need in the future. If your parent is attached to their family home and neighborhood, home care may prove to be a good option for their needs. Work together as a family with your loved one to make informed care decisions.

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