There inevitably comes a time when your parents will no longer be able to take care of themselves without help. When this happens, you may be faced with the choice of either caring for your loved ones yourself or taking them to a senior care facility.
While some people will prefer to take care of their parents at home, that just isn’t a choice for others. It could be because they’re juggling full-time work and providing for their own family, or they don’t have the capability to.
Whatever the reason, if you find yourself looking for a senior care facility, there are a few things you should know beforehand. Here are seven things you should consider:
1) There’s no such thing as budget-friendly
When it comes to choosing the best place for your loved ones, you always want to make sure they’re getting the best care possible. Unfortunately, that usually means paying a fair amount of money. So, you should look into your financing options for eldercare.
While there are affordable senior care facilities out there, it’s important to note that most of them are either run-down or overcrowded, meaning that the quality isn’t as good as more expensive options.
2) You can’t make your loved one happy
While you can certainly try to cater to your loved ones’ tastes, that doesn’t necessarily mean they will be satisfied with their living arrangements. You will either have to compromise or take the time to visit them so you can see any problems they might be facing.
For best results, you should consider using a placement service for assisted living arrangements. A service will help you understand what each facility on your list has to offer, and they can negotiate prices for you.
3) You may have to get more than one opinion
When you begin your search for the perfect senior care facility, you may find that some are way above your budget or don’t offer the types of amenities you need. If this is the case, you will want to bring in an expert, so they can help you weed out the bad options and find the right fit for your loved one.
This means that you may have to visit several facilities before making a final decision. Unfortunately, this can be time-consuming and tedious, but it’s necessary for your loved one’s happiness.
4) All senior care facilities are not created equal
It’s important to understand that just because a facility is called a “senior care facility” doesn’t mean that all the residents are elderly. You may come across some that primarily focus on taking care of disabled or ill people under a certain age.
Also, keep in mind that not all of these types of facilities are long-term care options. If your loved one needs more care than you can provide daily, consider looking for short-term options until they are well enough to go home.
5) Make sure your loved one is right for a senior care facility
Before you go on a hunt for the best place for your loved one, you should make sure that they need to be in a senior care facility. If their problems are treatable with regular check-ups, then that shouldn’t be an option.
You’ll also want to make sure that your loved one can function without supervision or assistance in daily tasks. If they are completely dependent on you, then a senior care facility probably isn’t right for them.
6) You can’t always choose who your loved one will live with
If you think that you’ll be able to pick and choose who your loved one will be living with once they move into a senior care facility, you’re going to be disappointed. In most cases, you’ll only get to choose which facility they will be staying in.
Once your loved one is living in a senior care facility, there is little you can do about who they are sharing a living space with. The best thing you can do is simply set boundaries so no one gets too upset.
7) It’s not just about ensuring safety and comfort
A senior care facility provides a lot more than just room and board. If your loved one can live on their own but needs regular check-ups, you may want to consider short-term nursing care.
This may involve meal preparation, regular check-ups from a medical professional, and even some accompaniment to regular appointments. In most cases, this type of care can be provided in a senior care facility as well as at home.
Hopefully, these tips will help you find the right senior care facility for your loved one. Don’t feel burdened if you can’t find the right place immediately because after all, this is a process. So, be sure to take your time and check out as many places as you need before making a final decision.
