As your parent gets older, you may begin wondering how they are going to continue living safely on their own. You may be worried about their personal hygiene, ability to run basic errands, or even fear they will accidentally get hurt when cooking on the stove. As your aging parent begins to show signs that they need assistance (such as forgetting where they've placed their keys, neglecting housework, or even leaving their stove on), you may need to start thinking about a retirement home for their health and happiness. Here are ways to decide which type of retirement facility is best for your aging parent.
Largely independent
Your parent's ability to still do certain tasks will largely determine the type of facility they would thrive in best. If they can take care of themselves and still keep a clean house, pay their bills, and remember to take any medications, they can certainly thrive in a retirement community. This is a community where your loved one can live around or with other individuals who are around the same age, share the same common interests, and have access to medical care and activities to keep them healthy and involved. A retirement community can simply be a subdivision or apartment complex for people of a certain age, or a retirement center with individual living quarters to allow your loved one to be in a positive environment while still being able to be independent.
Unable to care for themselves
If your loved one is in need of daily care or they are forgetful with basic hygiene, then assisted living may be a better option. In this type of living facility, your loved one has access to 24/7 nursing care, and a doctor is on staff to address their emergency needs and keep tabs on their overall health. Assisted living facilities often offer meal plans to keep your loved one healthy and have many activities available to keep your parent engaged and mentally stimulated. Your parent may need an assisted living facility over a retirement community if they:
- have Alzheimer's or other mental deterioration
- require daily medicine or physical therapy
- are unable to care for their home, hygiene, or neglect regular tasks
The best way to help decide which type of retirement living will work best for your aging parent is to talk with them and their doctor. Once you have determined the best type of living for their needs, you can then visit local retirement communities (like Heritage Commons) or assisted living centers with your parent to help them find the best home for their current needs.
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