This is a sponsored guest post.
When a family member needs a little extra help in their day to day life, it can be hard to make the decision as to whether to hire someone to help them at home or to have them moved into an aged care facility. There are definite pros and cons to both options, but looking at your loved ones needs when it comes to social requirements, level of care and cost will enable you to make the most informed decision. Have a genuine and frank conversation with your loved one to ensure that they are happy. This is definitely a choice to make together if you can.
In order to make your decision, it is important to understand that there are several different levels of care both in the home and within an aged care facility. Assess the amount of care your loved one needs. Illness, agility, and memory are all factors in deciding the right place for them. Discuss their wishes and engage with both doctors and the care homes themselves. Only by understanding all the ins and outs can you make a choice between at home or residential care.
Look at the social offering.
The social aspect of a residential care facility cannot be denied. Not only is your loved one surrounded by carers and nurses, they are a community of people ready and willing to connect with your family member. Not to mention the other residents who will be of a similar age range. Social clubs, knitting circles, and religious groups could be within a short walk of your loved one.
Should your family member have some form of illness which affects their decision-making skills, provisions and programs can be made for them. Most residential aged care villages offer access towards dedicated to treating these conditions and making the residents lives as social as possible.
While it can be a little bit trickier to socialize if you chose to have your loved one stay with you or at their home, there is nothing to say that with a little research you can’t find the same kind of social connections around you. Look into community-based seniors programs, or even having a carer come once a week. Depending on your loved one’s personality you can find the perfect program for them.
How much care do they need?
Medical care is another major concern when you are looking for a residential care or in-home treatment. At a residential facility, help us on hand whenever they may need it. If your family member is not well enough to be at home by themselves and you can’t be by their side, placing them into twenty-four-hour care can ease your worry and theirs.
While it may not offer complete care at all hours of the day, if your loved one wants to stay at home, provisions can be made. Check with your council or local aged care facility, most offer a respite program if a loved one has been unwell or in an accident. You could also look into a nursing support program to ensure that medications are taken and injuries are monitored. The costs vary with these types of programs so make sure you investigate all available options to find the right one for your loved one.
Together you can make the right choice.
Your family member deserves to live a life that is comfortable and full of enjoyment. By discussing all the options with them, taking advice from their doctors and investigating the myriad of programs and aged care facilities available you will find a solution that is tailored to the amount of care and companionship your loved one wants and needs.
