Today’s assisted living homes aren’t the same as they used to be. Where senior living options used to be limited to medical care related to emergencies, today’s homes have more services than an old-fashioned nursing home. These different senior care options can be tailored to an individual’s needs, and they range from assisted living for those with mobility issues to behavioral care for seniors with mental illnesses.
If you’re curious about the different types of care for seniors, here are a few terms and services you may encounter in your search for a senior living facility, either for yourself or for a loved one.
Senior Assisted Living
It’s a fact that many seniors today have trouble with daily activities, and the average assisted living resident requires help with at least three of those activities. Most commonly, these include bathing, getting dressed, eating, and taking medications. Also, many seniors have mobility problems and require the use of a walker or wheelchair, so they often benefit from having staff members to help them.
Behavioral Care for Seniors
Senior behavioral care is used in both hospitals and assisted living facilities in order to treat seniors with symptoms of depression, anxiety, psychosis, and other behavioral issues. While behavioral care for seniors is available in hospitals, this is more of a short-term option than one for a longer duration. Assisted living homes have the resources to devote to treating senior citizens with these types of conditions, often through various therapies and prescription drugs.
Memory Care for Seniors
Senior memory care is aimed at treating dementia, Alzheimer’s, and other conditions that affect memory. Depending on the progression of the condition, many seniors rely on having someone else to help them with daily activities. Other care for seniors can also include treatment for conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, and arthritis.
Independent Living
Some communities, for those who don’t have chronic illnesses, are geared toward providing a more home-like experience for seniors. These communities help seniors socialize without offering the regimented day of a traditional senior home. Seniors are able to come and go as they please, and they have plenty of neighbors around to make the experience pleasant.
There are an estimated 1 million seniors living in assisted living facilities and senior housing already, and many more will join them as more Baby Boomers age in the next two decades. The average stay in one of these facilities is around 22 months, so considering the quality of long-term care for seniors is of the utmost importance when choosing a senior home. Have more questions about care options for seniors? Leave a comment below. Visit here for more.
