By Elizabeth Eby

Good Reasons to Consider a Senior Residence

Caring for a loved one at home is a great option—for many people. Nowadays, however, there are many alternatives to make you reconsider the dreaded “senior residence.” Despite the horror stories in the news, most retirement facilities are well-managed, good places to live.  If they were not and if residents did not like living there, they would not still be in business.

Social opportunities, transportation assistance, activities, medication supervision, a living environment designed with seniors in mind, and the opportunity to have one’s own home instead of a room in the family home are a few of the  pros of senior housing.

Round-the-Clock Care

Sometimes we are so concerned about how a family member would feel about leaving home; we let our own fears and guilt convince us that home is the best place. Most senior residences provide round-the-clock front desk service and many include access to professional care such as home health care aides, registered nurses, and on-call doctors.  In an emergency, residents phone the front desk for an immediate staff response—the staff typically alerts help (in the form of medical assistance, or whatever is needed), and lets family members know about the concern. Your loved one need not hesitate to phone the desk whatever the hour. Many times a loved one will hesitate to tell a family member about a problem—particularly if it is 3 a.m. and the loved one feels guilty for being cared for. Sometimes it can be easier for a loved one to express a problem to a non-family member, such as personnel at a senior home.

Types of Senior Residences

Professionals refer to the level of care offered at a facility depending upon the services provided.  The level of care you select depends [active tense] upon your family member’s needs.  Make an appointment with everyone involved, including your loved one, doctors, and all family members to make a list of the services you need.  One way to combat resistance to moving is to involve your loved one in every step toward finding a new home. In addition, it is better to shop for an alternative to home care while your loved one is cognitive and healthy, before an emergency leaves you without any choices.     

• Independent Living. Typically an apartment in a special setting with meals available.  Health services, housekeeping, and transportation services may be available. Newer apartments may be wheelchair accessible.  Some buildings have handrails along the corridors and other conveniences to make it safer and easier for a frail person to get around. Residents come and go as they please but there is usually a front desk service to provide assistance in an emergency.     
• Assisted Living. A registered nurse is on duty 24/7; services include medication supervision, certified medical assistants (CMAs) to help residents with grooming, eating, toileting, and activities.  Assisted living is a good choice for someone who falls often or tends to wander.
• Some assisted living facilities also include independent living designed for residents who are able to live alone but need help with certain activities.  For example, a person who is safe living alone but has a complicated medication schedule and needs help taking the right pill at the right time.    
• Skilled Nursing Homes. These homes are intended for those who need medically supervised nursing care 24/7.  Additional services such as physical therapy and occupational therapy may be provided.  A resident may go to a nursing home for rehabilitation following hospitalization and then return home.  In other words, a nursing home is not necessarily the end of the line.
• Continuing Care Communities (CCRFs). All levels of care are offered at a continuing care facility.  Residents do not need to move when their health needs change.  Professionals refer to these homes as enabling your loved one to age in place.  In addition, CCRFs may be a good choice for a couple because they provide the full range of health and medical service.  For example, your parents may not have to be separated if one needs skilled nursing care and the other is able to live independently.

Group Homes for Seniors

Group homes are another alternative to living at home or in a senior facility. Group homes are usually regular homes adapted to meet the special needs of the elderly. They are located in residential neighborhoods with live-in caregivers who provide meals and personal service. Group homes generally cost less and provide a family-like setting for your loved one.  Family members arrange for doctor visits and other services that may or may not be delivered at the group home.  Not all states have licensing boards for group homes.

Respite Care and Temporary Housing

Some facilities offer temporary housing when you need to go out of town, on a vacation without your loved one, or just take a break from each other. Assisted living facilities are more likely to provide temporary housing because they often have furnished rooms.

The Real World

Each individual facility, no matter what the category of housing, provides different services and care.  Your loved one’s needs may require a mix between several different types of housing. Be sure to examine the trade-offs of all facilities you consider—and understand that, as in most things in life, you will have compromises to make. Only you and your loved one can decide which compromises are acceptable and which amenities you absolutely require.

Oftentimes, a family will find an acceptable facility for all amenities—except one or two. In that case, you may decide to purchase additional services to supplement those offered by the facility. For example, some families supplement visiting nursing services to ensure 24/7 care. Some families supplement the food at a facility with gourmet delivery services, or some families pay extra for cable TV.

Looking toward the future, you may choose a facility that offers more services then your loved one currently needs. Doing this enables your loved one to stay at the facility of choice as their needs progress.

The choices for senior living are vast—and growing every day! Put the guilt aside and assess your family’s situation with all the options in mind. Sometimes it is in the best interest of everyone—you and your loved one—to consider a home away from home.