Your
parents gave you a great place to live while growing up, so when they
start to get old, it's time for you to repay the favor. Seniors have
many living options, and all options have their own pros and cons. If
you are struggling to decide where your senior parent should live,
check out these three possibilities.
1.
With You
Many
people simply move their senior parents into their home, which comes
with many perks for everyone involved. You and your parent will get
to spend lots of time together, which can be crucial during these
later years, especially for your parent.
Loneliness
can be detrimental for anyone, and older people are often more
secluded. They may not be able to get out to interact with people, or
everyone they know may already be gone. According to a University of
California, San Francisco study, over 40 percent of seniors felt
lonely. Plus, loneliness can increase the risk of mortality by 26
percent, and it increases the risk of dementia by 64 percent.
For
this reason, having your loved one in your home with family will
help, but the downside is the cost if your parent is disabled. With
minor disabilities, such as low vision, you can make a few
inexpensive changes around your house to make the home safer for your
parent. However, if they need constant care and attention, you may
not have time to give them proper care or the money to hire help.
2.
In a Nursing Home
For
seniors who need a lot of attention and care, a nursing home may be
the better idea. In a nursing home, your loved one gets
round-the-clock care, so even if they need something in the middle of
the night, someone is there to help. Nursing homes also create a
schedule for your loved one, and many facilities provide activities
to do, such as Bible readings, movies, bingo, etc.
CNAs
who work in nursing homes are often overworked and underpaid,
however, and with so many other patients, your loved one may not get
as much attention as they need. In severe cases, this can lead to
neglect.
If
you do need to put your elderly parent in a nursing home, make sure
you shop around for the best home for your loved one. Make sure to
visit any nursing home before you send your parent there. While
there, watch how the staff treats other patients and each other. Make
sure the place is clean and the residents seem happy.
3.
Senior Community
Finally,
if your parent is still capable of taking care of themselves but they
would like to be surrounded by people their own age, it may be best
for them to move into a senior community. These communities allow
your loved one to continue to care for themselves, but if help is
needed, it is usually readily available.
Many
senior communities also have club houses, salons, or other facilities
so your parent doesn't even have to travel far for services and
entertainment. Many also provide buses to local stores, which is
great for seniors who can no longer drive.
Last,
one of the biggest advantages to living in a senior community is
being surrounded by similar people. Your parent may have a lot of
different experiences and beliefs than you, which can make them feel
isolated if they don’t have peers. Putting them with others who
have shared the same experiences can go a long way in helping your
parent make friends and stay social.
Above
all, make sure your senior parent is getting the care they need and
they are not isolated or lonely. If you would like to know more about
senior living or senior communities, contact
us
at
Robert Cottingham Company today.
