Over 55 million Americans are over the age of 65. It’s hard to see parents and loved ones get older.
Many reach the point where they can no longer care for themselves. You may need to consider senior care services for them.
How can you find the right assistance for seniors? Read this guide to find out.
Know the Type of Senior Care Services you Need
Do you need someone to visit your loved one’s home? Someone can spend part of the day helping with cooking, cleaning, and chores.
Independent living communities have amenities and activities for people in the same age group. This gives your loved one autonomy while being surrounded by people.
Assisted living gives seniors some autonomy, but they also need help with daily activities.
Nursing homes offer constant care and attention for seniors with physical or mental health care.
You need to know what kind of senior care services fits your particular situation.
Determine Your Budget
There are many different price points, even within the same category. You can get a luxury facility that costs several thousand dollars a month.
Maximize all of the resources you and your loved one have available. Government programs, Medicare, long-term care benefits, and other assets can help pay for the costs.
Look Online First
The miracle of the internet does simplify the search for senior care services. You can just do a search for “assisted living near me,” or “independent living communities.”
You’ll see a list of places appear. Read the reviews and visit the websites of at least ten of them. This ensures you don’t just go with the first one.
Take Tours of Senior Living Facilities
Check out the facilities for yourself. Bring your loved one with you because it has to be a good fit for them, too.
Meet with staff members and get a sense of their enjoyment of their work. Experience a meal there and see all of the amenities.
When you tour the facilities, get a list of recent activities and menus.
Ask Questions
A tour of a facility won’t tell you everything you need to know. You’ll get the best side of the facility.
Find a copy of the most recent inspection by state regulators. Ask about staff turnover rates at the facility.
Learn about the training and qualifications staff members have to do their jobs.
You’ll need to have conversations about the cost of senior care. There may be a base rate and then extra charges for meals, transportation, housekeeping, and move-in fees.
Ask about communications between the facility and your loved one’s doctors. This is going to be critical to ensure they get the care they need.
You’ll have the information you need to make an informed decision.
Finding Senior Care Services
It’s not easy to see a loved one get older. If they get to the point where they can’t care for themselves, senior care services can help.
This guide showed you how to find the best senior care services, whether it’s in-home care or senior living.