There are many lifestyle options for senior living and services today. While it’s wonderful to consider a variety of alternatives, it can be confusing to determine the best choice for your loved one.
The following are opportunities to help guide your decision-making:
Home Care – Home care is for older Americans who want to stay at home as long as they are able with some light assistance from outside help. Caregivers can perform light housework, meals, and personal needs such as bathing, dressing, transportation and companionship. Hire a home care aide for a few hours a week or on up to 24-hour live-in care. When it comes to choosing health care services at home, look to potential caregivers for professionalism, affordability, and reputation. The people put in charge of your loved one should be well-trained, certified and experienced. They should be respectful, empathetic and compassionate about helping seniors live well in a satisfying home environment.
Independent Living – When downsizing from a home is the best choice for older Americans in good health, independent living facilities such as apartments, townhomes or condos can accommodate their physical, emotional and social needs. Independent living is considered a popular choice for seniors who are able to live on their own and want a more simplified, secure, maintenance-free place to live. Our Birchrock Castle Community offers both apartments and town homes. These apartments are private, intercom secured, with emergency alarms in bedrooms and bathrooms. An exercise room, game room and library are available, and there are monthly activities scheduled for residents who wish to participate.
Assisted Living – Assisted living facilities generally provide residents an apartment or a room in addition to several common area spaces for their recreation and visitors. At Castle Senior Living, we offer compassionate assisted living care to seniors in ten communities in the greater Milwaukee area. Around-the-clock supervision, a full-time nurse, home-cooked meals, housekeeping and laundry, assistance with personal care and medications are among the numerous services. Our activities include daily exercise, social events, day trips, and therapy sessions with animals and music to create a community-like atmosphere that feels like home.
Memory Care – Some facilities offer specialized services for people with dementia through a memory care unit, wing or floor. This option is for seniors who are forgetful and suffer from different forms of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. At Castle Senior Living, we treat residents with such physical and mental health ailments. Situated in smaller environments, memory care programs involve a professionally trained nursing team to adapt care and cater to individual needs. These communities include enhanced security measures such as enclosed outdoor spaces, and secure entries and exits to keep residents from wandering away.
Nursing Home – If a loved one is in need of 24-hour supervision because of a progressive medical issue and there’s no primary caregiver available, a skilled care facility is considered the next highest level of health care. Full-medical staff is on site, which allows for certain procedures and therapies to be performed unlike other senior housing. Each resident is assigned to a physician, in addition to certified staff helping people in and out of bed, with meals, bathing, and getting dressed.
Consider referrals from other family and friends about their experiences and do your research. We are happy to help you with any questions you may have. Feel free to contact us! The more you know about what’s available in senior living, the greater the chances that you will find the best housing opportunity to fit the needs of your loved one.