5 Ways to Find the Perfect Care for Your Loved Ones
Few adult children are happy to see their parents growing old, but they shouldn’t have to feel like they’re making important decisions regarding their loved ones’ care alone. There are plenty of resources out there that can help. Read on to find out about five ways to find the perfect care for an aging parent or loved one to learn about options.
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Enroll in the CDPAP Program
Caring for an elderly loved one is almost always stressful, but it shouldn’t place an undue financial burden on his or her family caregiver. In New York state, it doesn’t have to. Medicaid patients can sign up for the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (cdpap) to get reimbursement for caregiving services provided by family members and friends.
Hire a Home Care Aide
Don’t want to commit to becoming a full-time caregiver? There’s nothing wrong with enlisting some professional help. Home care agencies offer a wide variety of services ranging from skilled nursing care to help with bathing, personal hygiene, cooking, medication management, and more.
If family members aren’t available to provide care, it’s always best to hire an aide through a reputable agency. This will ensure that the client receives top-notch care from a trained professional who has been thoroughly vetted by the agency, reducing stress for everyone.
Assisted Living Facilities
Assisted living facilities are not nursing homes. They’re residential housing units designed for elderly residents who just need a little help with staying on top of daily chores or dealing with personal care tasks. They’re designed to offer maximum independence to residents while simultaneously providing them with the services they need to continue living alone in a supportive community.
These facilities are a good fit for aging family members who don’t have serious medical conditions or round-the-clock care. Keep in mind that the services offered at assisted living facilities can vary and ask about services in advance to find one that offers a good fit.
Skilled Nursing Facilities
Unlike assisted living facilities, which require their residents to be free from serious medical problems, skilled nursing facilities provide round-the-clock medical care. The care might be administered by a doctor, a nurse, or an aide working under a doctor’s supervision. Skilled nursing facilities are a good fit for those who need 24/7 medical supervision or a substantial amount of help with daily tasks. Find a facility that exhibits a leadership and organizational style that feels right for you and your loved one.
Memory care facilities are specifically designed for patients who suffer from Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. The staff at these facilities is trained to provide care to elderly residents struggling with memory problems, and they’re secured so that patients can’t wander off.
It’s best to speak with a neurologist to confirm that a loved one’s cognitive impairment is permanent prior to placing him or her in a long-term memory care facility. Other options like skilled nursing facilities and in-home aides are better for those who are suffering from short-term cognitive impairments.
The Bottom Line
It’s important for adult children and other family members to make the right housing decisions for their aging loved ones. Most elderly residents in New York prefer to continue living independently for as long as possible, whether that means hiring a trained home care aide or finding a way to pay a family member for help around the house. When constant medical care and supervision or memory care are required, it’s best to consider more specialized facilities.
