Your elderly loved one is getting to the point where they are struggling to take care of themselves, but you have no interest in sending them to a nursing home. Luckily, there are plenty of options that you can utilize: these options specialize in specific types of care for seniors with a variety of capabilities.
Subsidized Senior Housing
If your loved one is struggling to make ends meet in their senior years, but are still capable of basically taking care of themselves, subsidized senior housing is often a good option. Basically, it boils down to extremely cheap housing with most of the home care duties taken care of by outside experts. Benefits of subsidized senior housing include:
- No maintenance responsibility
- Greatly decreased rent
- Emergency pull cord alarms
- Grab bars for safety
- On-call managers
- Limited access keeps outside visitors away
Generally speaking, the guidelines for each program will vary depending on the program utilized. For example, seniors that qualify for section 8 independent living will pay just 30% of their adjusted gross monthly income for rent. So, if they make just $600 a month in benefits, but pay $200 for medicine, their gross adjusted income is $400, for a rent of $120.
Adult Day Care
Elderly people who aren't quite ready to leave their home, but who need a little direction often do quite well in adult day care. This service revolves around keeping them busy with a wide variety of activities that engage their mind and body. These activities include:
- Day trips
- Bingo games
- Visits to town
- Meals
Some adult day care centers will offer more detailed health care options for those who need it, such as providing proper diabetic treatments and even HIV/AIDS medicines. At the end of the day, the elderly person can go back home to sleep in their own bed.
The Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly
Seniors that are residing in apartments or other elderly-centric community living environments often turn to the Programs of All-Inclusive Care (or PACE) to take care of their needs. It is primarily designed to take care of frail and sick seniors by offering them an inclusive package that takes care of all their needs. Seniors that utilize this care method get something similar to nursing home care in their home, but with the ability to send home their experts and enjoy the privacy and comfort of their own home.
Hospice
Hospice is usually something of a last resort for elderly people who are nearing death, but who want to spend the rest of their days at home. Hospice providers try to find a relaxing and calm environment for each patient, one that doesn't disturb or annoy them excessively. Benefits of Hospice care include:
- Familiar living environment
- Comprehensive care plans that center on controlling pain and discomfort
- Care personalized for each individual
- Creates a sense of "dignity" by respecting patient's wishes
- Offers counseling for family members ready to grieve
Hopefully, some of these options sound right for your beloved senior citizen. If you have any more questions regarding senior care, it's worth calling up a center that provides the service in which you are interested.
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