It’s a daunting experience coming to terms with the fact that our loved ones are struggling with their living situations. Whether they’re living alone or with family, meeting all of their needs and requirements can be challenging as the everyday person lacks the appropriate skill sets.  

When we are talking about senior care, we’re referring to several specialised care options that’ll meet a variety of individuals needs. Each senior care facility offers different services, and they range from specialities. Some are suited for the frail, while others provide gentle care services and companionship.

Live-in care

Live-in care is a form of long term care where a caregiver lives in the home with an individual or family who requires help with daily living tasks such as dressing, bathing, cooking, cleaning and shopping. This personalised service allows individuals to retain a level of independence while still having the safety of someone being there when needed – day or night.

The caregivers provide these services while also acting as companionship for those feeling lonely or isolated from others. 

Often elderly patients feel like a burden on their loved ones, and the pressure of needing to be cared for can strain the relationship. Living in the comfort of one’s own environment and home allows one to maintain both physical and mental wellbeing.

Benefits of live-in care include:

• Companionship: Often our parents or elderly family members feel isolated, which can lead to feelings of depression and loneliness. A live-in carer is there to provide companionship, as well as assist in elder patients attending social events.
• A solution for ageing couples: Elderly couples can remain in the comfort of their own home, allowing each other to age with dignity.
• Privacy: While it takes some time to get used to a stranger in the home, it is still a lot more private than residing in a care facility.
• Pets: Opting for a live-in carer means that individuals can still keep their pets close – most caring homes don’t allow pets.

Homecare

Providing similar benefits as live-in carers, homecare, also known as domiciliary care, is a service offered to elderly patients who wish to continue living an independent life. This is achieved by a carer visiting the home during set hours to provide services such as medical or personal care. 

Homecare is appropriate for any senior individuals, whether it’s someone who has been diagnosed with a disability, someone who is struggling to complete daily tasks or those suffering from mental illnesses.

Benefits of homecare include:

• Flexibility: Should your hours or plans change, your home care services can adapt. Depending on the needs of an individual, you can have a home carer come into the home once a week or a couple of times a day.
• Basic needs met: Assistance can be provided for grooming, bathing and preparing meals.
• Administering medication: Trained nurses or caregivers can administer medication so that there is a guarantee senior patients receive them.
• An affordable caring option: Given that times are based on the patient’s needs, homecare can be more affordable than having a permanent live-in carer.

Complex care

Complex care goes beyond the need of having someone to complete daily tasks. This care service is designed for elderly patients who have substantial healthcare needs; ranging from physical disabilities, debilitating mental health conditions or chronic illnesses such as Huntington’s Disease or Cerebral Palsy.

Complex care can take place within a hospital or residential care setting. There is also the option of complex caring at home. It is difficult to determine which setting would best suit your loved one, which is why contacting and speaking to specialists is essential as each complex carer needs strong experience.

Benefits of complex care:

• Personal care: Individuals in need of complex care have personalised needs that require specialised attention. Complex care provides tailored live-in care plans to suit your loved ones.
• Relieve for loved ones: Family members often feel the pressure to care for their loved ones who suffer from substantial healthcare without the proper skills. Complex care can remove the pressure family members experience.
• 24-hour care: Your family member will have access to a professional team of carers 24/7, which removes the potential for accidents or missed administering of medication.

Independent & Assisted living communities

Assisted and independent living communities are great options for seniors who want to maintain their independence while having access to amenities that make life easier. These communities provide the space for individuals to enjoy an active and social lifestyle, yet they have 24/7 access to specialised care. 

Some assisted living communities specialise in illnesses and conditions such as Alzheimer’s and dementia, ensuring that residents are secure and that their needs are met.

Benefits of independent & assisted living communities:

• Independence: Individuals are still able to maintain their independence yet still have access to specialised facilities and staff.
• Community: Elderly residents have access to social events and facilities which allow them to socialise with other residents and avoid feelings of isolation.
• All-inclusive: Many senior home care communities are all-inclusive, allowing members to budget appropriately and save costs. Communities also have recreational facilities like swimming pools and entertainment areas.

Frail care

Frail care is a subset of senior care services that provides an in-home environment for seniors with chronic illness or disability. The majority of frail care patients are elderly, but this type of service can also benefit disabled people who need ongoing health services and assistance with activities like bathing and dressing. 

Those residing in frail care homes need all-around support due to their physical or mental incapabilities. They will receive medical, physical and emotional support to ensure their mental and physical well-being.

Benefits of frail care:

• • Offers daily support: Individuals who need frail care need 24/7 assistance as they often can’t complete basic tasks. Frail care ensures that there is always someone to assist your family member effectively.

• Specialised attention: Individuals suffering from physical or mental disabilities require specialised attention in order to complete daily tasks.

• Flexible plans: The older one gets, the more they’ll need to rely on outside help. Frail care homes and services adapt services; acute care, primary care and palliative care services can be altered to suit the needs of each patient.