Should Your Elder Parent Remain at Home With a Companion or Go to a Senior Care Facility?
There are several factors which should be considered when determining how to assist a senior.
A common scenario is the loss of a spouse after a couple has lived together for many decades.
There is, understandably, a period of deep depression, and there is no right or wrong answer about what one should do, because often the situation is very fluid, and the changes may be unpredictable.
Depression can predispose one to a host of physical ailments in addition to a diminished mental stability.
If the elder person has, until the time of loss, been in good physical health, then there is a good chance that in a year or so he/she will recover mental equilibrium and physical vigor and at some point be interested and eager to again fill a schedule doing things that are enjoyable.
If, on the other hand, the person's health was already compromised, the depression may hasten a slide into a state of greater dependency.
For some seniors there is a strong desire to remain in their own home.
They would enjoy the company of a pleasant person, a nurses aide or companion, living in their home who would provide companionship and assistance with their physical needs.
If that is the case, it is wise to bring a caretaker into the home.
While some people are concerned mainly with their privacy, there are others who are very outgoing and enjoy the camaraderie and activities which a senior care facility offers.
There are situations where the person in charge has a strong feeling that some decisions which would be best might conflict with the wishes of the senior.
Cost can also be a determining factor.
If there are difference of opinion on how to proceed there should be a discussion where several family members, including the elder person, before a final decision is made.
If the decision has been made to keep the senior in his home there are several things to consider.
Should you get someone to live in or out? How much physical help, especially with Alzheimer's, is required, and how quickly is deterioration in their ability likely to occur.
Sometimes the preference of a senior may lean towards less supervision when in fact the person making the decisions is confident much more care is involved the senior realizes It is also important to take into consideration the personality of the senior.
Depending on their personality they may feel comfortable or uncomfortable with someone very outgoing and exuberant.
Since the senior will be spending a lot of time with the caretaker, it is wise to have a trial period before making a commitment to the arrangement.
A common scenario is the loss of a spouse after a couple has lived together for many decades.
There is, understandably, a period of deep depression, and there is no right or wrong answer about what one should do, because often the situation is very fluid, and the changes may be unpredictable.
Depression can predispose one to a host of physical ailments in addition to a diminished mental stability.
If the elder person has, until the time of loss, been in good physical health, then there is a good chance that in a year or so he/she will recover mental equilibrium and physical vigor and at some point be interested and eager to again fill a schedule doing things that are enjoyable.
If, on the other hand, the person's health was already compromised, the depression may hasten a slide into a state of greater dependency.
For some seniors there is a strong desire to remain in their own home.
They would enjoy the company of a pleasant person, a nurses aide or companion, living in their home who would provide companionship and assistance with their physical needs.
If that is the case, it is wise to bring a caretaker into the home.
While some people are concerned mainly with their privacy, there are others who are very outgoing and enjoy the camaraderie and activities which a senior care facility offers.
There are situations where the person in charge has a strong feeling that some decisions which would be best might conflict with the wishes of the senior.
Cost can also be a determining factor.
If there are difference of opinion on how to proceed there should be a discussion where several family members, including the elder person, before a final decision is made.
If the decision has been made to keep the senior in his home there are several things to consider.
Should you get someone to live in or out? How much physical help, especially with Alzheimer's, is required, and how quickly is deterioration in their ability likely to occur.
Sometimes the preference of a senior may lean towards less supervision when in fact the person making the decisions is confident much more care is involved the senior realizes It is also important to take into consideration the personality of the senior.
Depending on their personality they may feel comfortable or uncomfortable with someone very outgoing and exuberant.
Since the senior will be spending a lot of time with the caretaker, it is wise to have a trial period before making a commitment to the arrangement.
