Are you or someone you love ready to start looking at senior living care? Searching for options can be confusing, but there are tips to keep in mind to help with elderly care.
Outline your needs
Do you or a loved one need help with elderly care activities such as bathing or dressing? Are you fairly independent? Consider making a list of services you or your loved one may need. There are various levels of care available in senior living including independent and assisted living, personal care, memory care and skilled nursing and rehabilitation care. It will be helpful to know what is needed when beginning the search to help define budget and expectations.
Set your budget
When looking at help with elderly care, families may be surprised at the cost. However, when examining current monthly expenses to maintain a private home such as home maintenance, taxes, food, utilities and transportation, they find the monthly cost to be manageable, especially at an all-rental senior living community such as Country Meadows. This tool has been useful for those considering help for elderly care to compare monthly rates to current monthly living expenses.
Research available benefits
Help with elderly care costs may be available, but individuals need to look into these options. Some financial resources include long-term care insurance or the Aid & Attendance benefit available for veterans and their surviving spouses. Be sure to look into any resources that may be available to help with elderly care.
Select a location
Do you want to be close to family members or stay in your current neighborhood? Help with elderly care is available in most areas, so it is important to contemplate the location where you want to live.
List needs and wants
As stated above, there are many service levels available to provide help with elderly care. But in addition to these necessary care needs, are there amenities important to you or your loved one? For example, are you looking for a community that is pet-friendly? Do you want access to a swimming pool, bocce ball court and/or a fitness center? These “wants” will help narrow the choices when seeking help with elderly care. Make sure you categorize each amenity as “necessary” or simply “nice to have.”
Visit websites and read online reviews
Most senior living communities have a website describing available help with elderly care as well as amenities and dynamic living programs. Be sure to check websites such as Google to read reviews about senior living communities. These reviews can tell you what current and previous residents and families have to say about the provider. Also check out social media profiles on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to read comments and look at photos so you can see the lifestyle for yourself.
Ask friends and colleagues for recommendations
The process of seeking help with elderly care doesn’t need to be done solely online. Many families have been through the process of seeking senior care and will be happy to share the insights they’ve learned. Some ideas of people to ask include your doctor, pastor and fellow parishioners, friends and colleagues.
Contact preferred communities and pay a visit
When you’ve narrowed down your list based on the above items, call the location(s) to ask questions and learn more about available services and amenities. If you like what you hear, make an appointment to take a tour in person. During your visit, have a meal to determine the food quality and be observant to see if residents are engaged in activities and appear happy and content. Ask questions about staffing, safety features, activities and other important items such as transportation and entertainment. Consider bringing a friend or loved one with you so you can better observe and discuss the location after the tour.
Make the move!
You’ve done all your homework to search for help with elderly care. Review your notes on each facility to determine which locations you want to keep or eliminate and decide on one or two finalists. Don’t hesitate to make a second visit, this time during an off time such as evenings or weekends. This will allow you to get an idea of life on campus at different times. When you make your final decision, it’s time to make the move and enjoy the new, carefree lifestyle!
Free resources to help with elderly care
Whether or not you choose to live at Country Meadows Retirement Communities, our teams are available to help. We routinely receive questions asking for help with elderly care, so nothing will surprise us. Here are just a few examples:
“I am searching for a place for my 82 year-old mother who cannot live on her own any longer. She lives with me, but I work full-time. She is diabetic and ambulatory, but forgetful and suffers from dementia. I just worry about her being on her own while I work. She could be happier living among others her own age where she can converse and get involved in activities.” – Family Member
“We look forward to joining a community like yours. I am 86 and my wife is 85 and living in the country; keeping up has become difficult.” – Prospective Residents
“I am just trying to gather information to be better prepared in the event my parents require these services.” – Adult Child
Don’t worry. You got this!
Country Meadows offers help with elderly care including memory support, personal care, assisted living and independent living at our nine campuses in Pennsylvania and one in Frederick, Maryland. Skilled Nursing and rehabilitation are available at our Bethlehem location. Please contact our team for more information about how we can support you or a loved one. Our co-workers are always available to help!
Country Meadows
