Learning that your elderly parent cannot live independently anymore can be a terrifying moment, creating worries and anxiety. There are many different options that you can choose to keep your loved one safe and happy. Here are some support systems that can help you to resolve this issue during this challenging period.
While some families witness a gradual decline in the health and independence of their loved ones, others confront sudden and immediate changes, especially in conditions such as:
- progressive diseases like multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's, ALS, and dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease.
- incidents of acute cardiac arrest or stroke occurrence without a warning
- recovering from a surgery such as hip or shoulder replacements.
When seniors can no longer live safely on their own, generally three primary options emerge.
Cohabitation: Moving In Together
Some patients must remain in their own houses or the houses of their relatives. Often, it is the older children that take the role of caregivers. This alternative may work if you have a very strong support network. While you definitely can manage this dynamic, this option can create a lot of burden on one individual. Caregivers must ensure that they are taking care of both the patient and their well-being, which can be hard in such arrangements. This round-the-clock care is not always possible for all families, as it takes a toll on their emotional wellness and presents a time-consuming task.
Assisted Living Facilities
Senior residences that offer constant care around the clock are another option for elderly people. One of the considerations of this option is the cost, as well as the fact that the surroundings are not familiar to the patient, which can be a struggle for some individuals. However, such a type of living ensures that the patients receive continuous care and establish interpersonal connections. AssistedLiving.org offers a list of assisted living facilities in Massachusetts.
Home Care Services
Home care is an alternative that is more personalized, intimate and usually even cheaper. It allows seniors with reduced mobility or affected cognitive functions to stay safely at home. Home care services can be tailored to address the patient’s needs, ranging from hourly assistance to live-in care. Home care companies provide personalized and compassionate assistance and ensure that experienced professionals take care of your loved ones. Home care services can cover various levels of care, such as:
- Hourly Care
- Respite Care
- Personal Care
- Live-In Care
- 24 Hour Care
- Companionship
- Alzheimer's and Dementia Care
- Cancer Support
If you think that home care might be the right path for your family, search for local services like mass.gov or agencies like the Home Care Alliance, which will help you with more information. You can find other solutions and set up appointments with certified organizations like Ezra Home Care.
Ezra Home Care offers support to families in greater Boston, Metro-West, South Shore, and Cape Code regions, with the purpose to ensure proper safety and health of their loved ones. Our caring team prioritizes care solutions that are individualized to the patient’s specific requirements.
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