residential alternatives for Independent Living for Aging Parents

Transcription

1 Solutions for Senior Adults ~ Volume 5 8 residential alternatives for Independent Living for Aging Parents Tonia Boterf The Practical Expert

2 8 residential alternatives for independent living for Aging Parents Caring for Seniors ~ Volume 5 8 residential alternatives for Independent Living for Aging Parents The day may come when it s best to move aging parents out of their own home into a place that s better for them. Consider these eight housing options, what each can offer, and how to involve your parents in the decision process.

3 Solutions for Senior Adults ~ Volume 5 Tonia Boterf The Practical Expert Licensed Social Worker, Holistic Health Practitioner, and Certified Life Coach Copyright 2010, The Practical Expert All Rights Reserved.

4 8 residential alternatives for independent living for Aging Parents Contents Eight Residential Alternatives to Independent Living Family Option Another Senior Condominiums Boarding Homes Home Ownership in an Assisted Living Community Low-Income Public Senior Citizen Housing Private Assisted Living Establishments Assisted Living Apartment or Unit What to Look for in a Senior Residential Setting...17 Food Location Desired Features Degree of Care and Services Needed Safety How to Proceed Quick Cue List for Reviewing Residential Facilities Conclusion The Practical Expert Life Coaching About the Author... 25

5 Solutions for Senior Adults ~ Volume 5 introduction When adult children become involved in caring for their aging parent(s), they may notice lapses in care of the home or self-care. Some things are left undone or aren t done as well as they used to be. Safety and/or health issues may arise. Typically, they think their parents need to move into some type of assisted living facility. Are you facing this issue, or do you think you may be soon? If so, you re likely to run into upset parents who refuse to move and want to remain in their own home. And, frankly, it s by far more economical for them to do so. The family can arrange for home adaptations and accommodations that will improve their safety, health, and independence. Remaining at home usually means happier parents who will likely to live longer than if they moved. Unfortunately, remaining in their own home isn t always possible. How can you determine if it s best for them to move, and if so, what are your options for housing? Consider taking the following steps to derive an optimum solution. Initial 3 Steps to Take 1 Take extensive measures to determine if your parents can stay in their own home. Leaving can be a great loss for them and especially for a parent who has also lost a spouse and is losing basic living skills. Being told they must move and give up their area of driving comfort, their friends, community, church, activities, well-known routines, and more can be overwhelming. How much can you take away from people on top of what they re losing naturally due to age? How difficult it must be for them to cope or adjust, let alone enjoy life. Your first step is to assess your parents ability to continue to live in their own home. The Practical Expert is your best source for information and tools on how

6 8 residential alternatives for independent living for Aging Parents to assess an independent person s living ability. Take advantage of the Senior Adult Daily Living Skills Assessment Tool and 235 Helpful Home Accommodations and Adaptations for Seniors available at I also offer individualized counseling for these situations. Most home adaptations and accommodations are inexpensive and may easily make it possible for people to continue to live in their homes independently and safely. All too often, this valuable option is overlooked. So, please take the time to carefully assess and consider ways to keep your aging parents in their own home. Perhaps you could find a roommate or nonprofessional paid help. Check out volunteer and/or paid services such as a personal care attendant (PCA), housekeeper, hair stylist, and others. Look for pre-prepared meals services so meals can be brought in and paid for by the parent or family, or possibly state funding. The Dignity of Risk. The Dignity of Risk is the right of every person to engage in behaviors that may result in injury. Remember when growing up, you were told not to do certain things because you could get hurt. You then decided whether or not to follow that advice and sometimes your decision did result in getting hurt. As a part of living and personal growth, people experience hurt in various forms, and they learn valuable lessons from it. Many people like an element of risk or danger, accepting it as part of living the way they want to live. Keep the Dignity of Risk principle in mind as you deal with your aging parents. Don t they have the right to choose to stay in their own home and accept the risks involved? 2 After employing the ideas in #1, if safety issues and concerns remain, or you feel strongly about exploring other residential options, conduct family discussions about the issue.