Does your loved one need a higher level of daily assistance than can be provided by family caregivers? The next step is to look at various senior care options, and there are a lot of choices. However, the type of senior care that best suits mom or dad can depend on a variety of factors.

If you're considering outside senior care, then one of the most important factors to first consider is whether your loved one needs help with the activities of daily living (ADLs). These are basic self-care tasks that we learn early in life. ADLs include:

• Feeding
• Toileting
• Selecting proper clothing
• Self-grooming
• Continence
• Dressing
• Bathing
• Walking and transferring skills (for example, moving from the bed to the wheelchair)

Additionally, geriatric-care specialists often suggest you consider more complex living skills, known as instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). These include skills in the following areas:

• Ability to drive or use public transport
• Financial management
• Shopping
• Meal preparation
• Telephone and communication devices
• Medication management

6 Senior Care Options

Seniors today have a wide range of senior care options from which to choose. These options range from minimal assistance to highly-intensive skilled nursing care.

In-home housekeeping

If dad wants to stay in his home, is capable of performing ADLs and IADLs, but needs help keeping up with housework, then this may be a good option. Usually, homemaker services provide help with activities such as cleaning, cooking or running errands.

Home health aide service

If your loved one can remain at home, but needs more help than a housekeeping service can offer, this may be a good option. For seniors recovering from illness or injury, home health care is more medically-involved to meet those needs. Furthermore, aides often include trained nurses or therapists.

Adult or Senior day care

Adult or senior day care centers provide companionship and socialization during daytime hours. Even further, some centers may also offer minor medical assistance. If your loved one prefers to continue living at home, these centers are useful to provide caregivers respite, or work during the day.

Senior independent living 

This type of senior housing offers a wide variety of living options, from apartment-style to individual homes. These communities provide lots of amenities, services and senior activities. Independent living is for older adults who need minimal or no ADL assistance. Additionally, minimal medical care is available on-site.

Assisted living 

Many seniors choose these communities to call home. Assisted living communities offer personal care and health services for seniors that need ADL assistance. Furthermore, an assisted living community is clean, well-maintained and safe. Many offer apartments with options for you and your loved one to furnish with your loved one’s furniture from home, or a fully furnished apartment with everything your loved one needs. Finally, the features of a high-quality assisted living community include on-site prepared meals, special diets, weekly housekeeping, and a myriad of activities specially tailored to seniors' interests and abilities.

Nursing home facilities

Seniors who need the highest level of supervision and medical care are typical candidates for nursing homes. These services provide seniors with help getting in and out of bed, feeding, bathing, and dressing assistance. Nursing homes differ from other senior care options in that they provide a high level of medical care. Additionally, each resident is supervised by a licensed physician; a nurse or other medical professional is almost always on-site.

Ultimately, there are many types of senior care options for your loved one. However, if you still feel uncertain about what senior care is right for your loved one, Senior Solutions is here to help.  Contact us with any questions you may have, or schedule a tour at one of our communities today.