Sometimes children lovingly take it upon themselves to care for one or both of their aging parents. Often, the duties required of them become extremely overwhelming, and caregiver burnout sets in. One such instance took place in Orange County where a young woman had been trying to care for her mother with dementia. It became too much, so she took to Google to find a place to care for her mom that would also house her dad, as he did not want to be separated from his wife. After much research, this woman’s mother ended up in a specialized dementia-care facility. However, the husband was only able to visit his wife during the daytime. Additionally, they did not anticipate the financial stress of living in such a place.
Unfortunately, this type of experience is all too common.
“More often than not, healthcare hits us as a crisis, and we’re not prepared for it,” said Taylor Florence of Transitional Care Solutions. “It is especially difficult to make choices when you don’t have the time to research the industry and gather needed information.” This can be especially tricky in communities where there could be hundreds of senior care options and no time to research the industry or gather needed information.
In such cases, working with someone who is familiar with the available options is invaluable, and the help needed to quickly identify the best options for your loved one’s unique and individual situation is most welcome.
Fortunately, the family from Orange County was approached by the community director of the dementia-care facility and advised to contact Transitional Care Solutions. After a week and a half, the husband and wife were able to move into a residential care home where they could stay together. The room was perfect, the home fit their needs, the budget was just right, and to put the icing on the cake, the owner ended up speaking Hungarian—the couple’s first language!
Here are a few points to think about when considering health care and living arrangements for your loved ones:
Affordability
A statistic from the United States of Aging Survey 2015 shows that around 43 percent of seniors said they were not confident they could afford their healthcare costs. Despite the belief that assisted living care is too expensive, many facilities offer superior care at affordable prices. The key is to consider location and be aware of opportunities for financial aid, grants, and other government assistance programs to help get affordable treatment and quality.
Emotional Impact
There truly is no place like home. Having to say goodbye to rooms full of memories where significant events took place is highly emotional. This is why it is important to find a facility that strives to ensure a seamless transition and that feels as much like home as possible.
“We believe social and emotional health play an important role in maintaining overall physical health,” explained Shiloh Sorensen, activity director at Parke View Rehabilitation & Care Center.
Social interaction and relationships are important factors in a person’s well-being. It’s a need one never outgrows.”
Permanency
A move can be disruptive and traumatizing. The last thing you want to do is do it over and over again. As the physical needs of your loved one change, it’s important to find a facility that is prepared to handle the varying levels of needed care when they occur.
Location
A good location isn’t determined by one factor alone. There are many things to consider. Is your loved one’s doctor close to the facility? Is the facility close to family and other support? Can your loved one go to church, shop, or take recreational trips? The real question is, will your loved one still be able to do those things that make him or her happy?
“It may take time and a lot of planning on your part to create a smooth transition from home to assisted living,” wrote Jayme Kinsey of the Assisted Living Directory. “In the end, the result will be well worth the effort as your loved one will feel safe and secure, and you will have peace of mind knowing they really are in the best place for their needs.”
Finding the right fit for your aging loved ones can be a daunting task. However, by paying particular attention to affordability, emotional impact, permanency, and location, you can definitely find the best option for your unique situation.
