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Should my parent consider care in a serviced apartment?

Submitted by Emma Hamilton on Wed, 04/05/2011 - 6:56pm

For people who are not quite ready to move into an aged care home but need additional care and support, assisted living is a popular housing alternative.

Many families avoid talking to their loved ones about moving out of the family home and put off making the move into assisted living. If a loved one is having difficulty with activities of daily living or finding household chores a struggle, it could be time to consider care in a serviced apartment.


In this article:

 

When remaining at home is no longer an option

Most people as they age prefer to remain in the family home. Unfortunately for many people with chronic disease or general frailty staying at home is not always the safest or most desirable option.

Our homes are not always designed to accommodate for a decline in our physical and mental abilities. Even with the help of home care services sometimes a loved one needs more care than you can realistically provide.

The fear of falling overnight or being left alone can create anxiety for the whole family. Too often a sudden medical event forces families to make difficult decisions in times of stress.

The physical and emotional demands of caregiving can also place enormous strain on families. It can be especially difficult to care for a loved one when you work, are frail yourself or if you live many kilometres away.



What signs indicate it's time to consider assisted living?

A number of signs could indicate that a loved one is not coping at home despite the support of home care services.

Contact an assisted living facility directly and talk to care staff. They can help you decide if assisted living is right for you and your loved one.

If a family member shows any of the following signs it could indicate it’s time to consider assisted living:

  • Simple household chores and daily tasks are becoming difficult
  • Trouble getting to medical appointments
  • A family member is skipping meals and appears to have lost weight
  • You are worried about leaving a family member at home alone
  • Medications have been missed and are difficult to manage
  • Climbing stairs and getting about the house takes a lot of effort
  • A loved one is in danger of falls, slips and trips
  • Family member feels isolated in the home and appears depressed
  • Family member is showing early signs of memory loss

Investigating all your options early on could help you avoid a crisis event. It could also keep your family member independent for longer and prevent them from moving prematurely into an aged care home.



What are the benefits of assisted living?

Assisted living has many benefits. Knowing your loved one is getting the care they deserve in a secure and supportive environment can put your mind at ease. It can also free you up to spend quality time with a loved one.

Residents of serviced apartments can relax knowing they don't have to worry about the demands of housework, heavy laundry and cooking regular meals.

Family will also be relieved to know that emergency care is available at the press of a button 24 hours a day. A trained nurse is usually on call to assist with any health problems.

If a loved one's care needs change, extra help can be arranged. This may include assistance with activities of daily living or medications. 

For couples where one spouse requires more help than the other this can ease the burden of care. Families are often surprised to find that a loved one’s health and wellbeing improves with additional support.

Residents of serviced apartments have the choice of enjoying the privacy of their own apartment or being involved in a variety of social activities and outings.

Older people who would otherwise be isolated in the home often find they enjoy the stimulation of village living and the companionship of new friends.

Some serviced apartments are designed to cater to people living with dementia.

For couples where one partner is suffering from dementia, assisted living can help relieve the burden of care. Carers of a spouse with dementia often benefit from the support of care staff and other residents.

 

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