Deciding how to care for your aging parents is an overwhelming and challenging task, both for the elderly parent and the loving adult children.

Aging parents still want the ability to be independent, whereas adult children wish for the best care for their mom and dad. If you asked a person over the age of 65 if they prefer to live in assisted living facilities, the answer would usually be no because they would rather live on their own, independently, or in their own homes. However, there comes a time when aging parents are too old to be left on their own without proper care.

So how do you choose the proper elderly care for your parents?Here are some tips to help you out.

Which fits your parent’s needs: Home care or Senior living facilities?

Both possibilities have their pros and cons. For elderly parents, aging at home presents familiarity, comfort, improved quality of life, and peace of mind. Home care helps them to live independently in their familiar surroundings. Home care usually involves a certified nurse practitioner or caregiver that visits your parents’ address at the agreed-upon schedule. This could be a few hours a day, every day, or a few days per week.

On the other hand, senior living facilities are excellent for parents who want to be part of a community, meet new people, and, most of all, overcome the feeling of isolation. Senior living facilities are a new way of living that brings your parents a new adventure. If you want your parents to enjoy retirement living with panoramic view, you can opt for Monteray Park village. It is set in unique location which also lets you enjoy local, freshly grown produce.

This dentist in Harrisburg NC shares that you should be very particular with senior living packages as some already include annual health checkups while others don’t.

Speaking to your parents about the various options can help you and them come to a choice that both are happy with.

How much does it cost?

Both home care and senior living facilities cost money. The best way to do this is to work with a financial planner to see how you and your parents can budget their retirement nest or investigate selling assets to cover the cost of home care or facility living. Another good thing you can do is, simply contact your local service providers like, long term care in vancouver wa. If you are living in that region, make sure both parties agree on the budget and how much you want to spend. Making a list of pros and cons and adding the financial value can help you determine the best option. A transparent discussion must be had about affordability and which option makes sense.

Assisted living vs. Nursing homes vs. home care

All of the above comes with significant differences. If medical professionals as staff are what you’re looking for, then nursing homes are the way to go. These homes are perfect for seniors who require daily medical attention. On the other hand, assisted living facilities are a community of other seniors living together. Some staff help with bathing and dressing, but there isn’t a nurse or doctor on call. Home care is when a medical staff or caregiver comes to your parent’s home to provide care and assistance. Which one you choose would depend on your parent’s needs.

1. As always, read the reviews.

Reviews online and offline help your family narrow down potential prospects. This helps you and your parents find the best-assisted living facility that fits your parent’s needs and your family’s budget. Reviews help give a first-hand look into what life is like at the facility, how the staff treats residents, the quality of food and service, and any other information you wouldn’t find in their marketing pamphlets.

You shouldn’t only count on reviews. Visiting the place and touring the facility with your parents must be something you should do. Your parents should like it and feel comfortable in their potential new surroundings. List down what you and your parents like and dislike. See how you felt when touring and speaking to the staff, as well as the quality and condition of the facilities. Some things that work for others may not necessarily work for you/your parents and vice versa. Learning for yourself what works for your parents is crucial because you don’t want to risk their safety. Ultimately, discussing with them is the most helpful route.

2. Make sure to talk to the staff.

The staff at the facility makes all the difference. It is not uncommon to want the team to treat your parents with the same level of affection that you do. This is a high bar for employees to meet, so ultimately, you want to see how emphatic and compassionate they are in treating older adults. Do they have a good rapport with the residents? How do they communicate with other staff members and the residents? Ask them questions about bad reviews you read online and see how they respond to them. Their response will give you a good indication of how they handle conflict in the facility.

3. Assess the meal quality

Small details such as serving your parent’s favorite meal weekly or monthly will significantly improve their quality of life in the facility. A conversation about food is meaningful because dietary preferences and restrictions are essential to ensure your parents are healthy. Ask the staff to see the options available and how they handle portion sizes. You also want to learn about seconds and snacks if residents get hungry outside their mealtimes.

How close is the facility to where you live?

Many adult children prefer facilities close to where they live, which means they can visit their parents anytime and be there in case of emergencies. Visits from family are incredibly crucial to your parents as they age, so having a facility close by is essential. Check to see what visiting times are and how restrictive or flexible they are when visiting kids and family members.

Do your parents need memory care?

Memory care facilities are ideal for parents who have dementia or Alzheimer’s. It comes with services provided by specially trained staff, more check-ins, and routine check-ups. Memory care often involves setting routines to lower the stress levels of residents with memory issues.

Choosing the suitable facility that fits the needs of your parents is ideal. It can be a breath of fresh air for aging adults who can no longer live on their own or adults who are looking for a change of lifestyle and scenery. Facilities that offer a healthy mix of activities, facilities, meals, and care can help ease the stress of daily life.

Article Submitted By Community Writer