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When it comes to senior care, there are many options available. What’s right for one senior may not be appropriate for another. For seniors who want to maintain an active lifestyle, independent living in Bradenton, FL, might be a good idea. Assisted living or home care may be a better option for seniors who require more care.
When researching what type of care is right for you or your loved one, you may have questions about private care vs. community care. Read on to learn more about the differences between the two.
Private home care involves a caregiver coming to a senior’s home and providing the daily or weekly care they need. Private home care providers schedule their visits around the needs of the seniors. Some caregivers live full-time with seniors who need around-the-clock care.
Private home care caregivers can provide a range of support, including assistance with:
Some private home care providers can even provide specialty services like physical therapy to help seniors recover from an injury or hospital visit. Lastly, private home caregivers can also provide companionship for seniors who live alone.
The spectrum of community care is broader than private home care. In general, community care is provided to seniors in a communal or group setting rather than one-on-one in the senior’s home.
Community care varies greatly depending on the particular community. Some communities offer private quarters for seniors with low staff-to-resident ratios, so seniors receive a high level of care with maximum privacy. They may also offer a range of onsite services and amenities for residents.
On the other end of the spectrum, some publicly funded community care facilities have higher staff-to-resident ratios and offer shared living quarters for residents.
Community care facilities benefit from built-in social interaction for residents but may not be appropriate for all seniors.
Private home care and community care are very different, and both have their benefits and downsides. Seniors and their families should carefully consider all aspects before deciding which type of care is right for them.
Private home care offers the highest level of privacy for seniors as they remain in the comfort of their own homes. Private home care usually involves the assistance of just one caregiver, and seniors have total control over their schedule and the care provided.
On the other hand, community care facilities do not offer as much privacy, and seniors may have to be more flexible with their daily schedules.
Generally, private home care providers spend a lot of time finding the right match for a particular senior. The senior and their caregiver must form a trusting relationship.
In community care settings, caregivers are not generally matched to a particular senior. However, caregivers in community care settings are dedicated professionals who still provide the highest level of care.
Private home care provides companionship for seniors, but it does not allow for as much outside socialization with peers. On the other hand, community care settings have built-in opportunities for connection that can be very beneficial to seniors’ mental health.
There is no right or wrong answer when comparing private home care vs. community care. Caregiving is a highly personalized service; only seniors and their families can decide what is right for them.
Regardless of care needs, Florida provides a variety of options for seniors. Whether it is assisted living, in-home care, or independent living in Bradenton, FL, seniors can find a care solution that works for them.
As our parents age, it becomes increasingly important to be attentive to changes in their behavior, physical condition, and overall well-being. Identifying early signs that they may need in-home support can help ensure they receive the necessary care to maintain their quality of life. Here are some key indicators that it might be time to consider in-home support for your elderly parents:1. Changes in Personal Hygieneo Neglect of Grooming: Noticeable decline in grooming habits, such as unkempt hair, body odor, or wearing dirty clothes.o Difficulty Bathing: Struggling with regular bathing or maintaining personal cleanliness. Concern of falling while bathing.2. Physical Declineo Mobility Issues: Difficulty walking, frequent falls, or unsteady balance.o Weight Loss: Unexplained weight loss or poor nutrition due to difficulty cooking or eating.3. Cognitive Declineo Memory Problems: Forgetting important appointments, medications, or familiar faces.o Confusion: Increased confusion, disorientation, or getting lost in familiar places.4. Emotional and Mental Health Changeso Social Withdrawal: Avoiding social interactions, hobbies, or activities they once enjoyed.o Mood Swings: Noticeable changes in mood, increased irritability, or signs of depression and anxiety.5. Neglected Household Responsibilitieso Messy Home: A once tidy home becoming increasingly cluttered or dirty.o Unpaid Bills: Accumulation of unpaid bills or neglect of financial responsibilities.6. Medical Concernso Frequent Medical Issues: Increased frequency of medical appointments or hospital visits.o Medication Management: Difficulty managing medications, including missed doses or incorrect administration.7. Changes in Daily Activitieso Difficulty with ADLs: Struggling with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as dressing, eating, or toileting.o Reduced Driving Ability: Unsafe driving habits or reluctance to drive.When to ActIf you observe any of these signs, its important to have an open and compassionate conversation with your aging parent about their needs and concerns. Early intervention with in-home support can help provide: Personal Care: Assistance with bathing, dressing, and grooming. Meal Preparation: Help with cooking and ensuring proper nutrition. Medication Management: Monitoring and administering medications correctly. Companionship: Providing social interaction and emotional support. Household Chores: Assistance with cleaning, laundry, and other household tasks. Transportation: Helping with errands, appointments, and social activities.Recognizing the signs that your aging parent might need help at home is crucial for their well-being and your peace of mind. By being vigilant and proactive, you can ensure they receive the support they need to live safely and comfortably in their own home. There are services and items available that not only support your aging parent but also alleviate some of the tasks you might be managing. If youre uncertain about the level of care required, consider consulting with a healthcare professional or a senior care advisor to assess their needs comprehensively. As you navigate this path, resources from credible organizations can offer guidance and support. Remember, at CareAparent, we are here to assist you every step of the way in this important journey. If you are interested in learning more about our services or inquiring about a personalized care plan, dont hesitate to contact us at your convenience. Our knowledgeable and compassionate team is always here to assist you and answer any questions you may have. Take the first step towards peace of mind and reach out to us today at 651-702-4663.
Marita Ellers* was lucky. Her parents lived three blocks away in Greater Detroit. She enjoyed a close relationship with them and could tend to their needs as they continued to age, which was well into their 90s. They both passed away when Marita entered her 60s as she helped with their hospice care needs. But having never married, and with only a chronically ill brother and sister-in-law living in Seattle, reality set in when Marita needed major surgery which would incapacitate her for weeks or possibly months.Unlike her parents who had her to depend on, Marita had no one. Of course there was her circle of friends, but as it turned out most were married. Shed never thought about cultivating relationships with single people; it had just never occurred to her. Her married friends had busy lives of their own with spouses, adult children, and grandchildren, and the last thing Marita wanted to do was impose on them during a long recuperation.Ellers is part of a growing trend of elder orphans and solo agers: individuals ages 55-plus who live alone without a spouse, partner, children, or other family around at all, or if they are around, they cannot be relied upon sometimes due to family dynamics. In short, these individuals have no real support networkno safety net. In a survey of 500 elder orphans, nearly 70 percent hadnt identified someone to help them with health problems, while 35 percent had no friends or family to begin with who could help.Studies show the demographics numbers are on the rise and the group is so ubiquitous, it even has its own Facebook page with nearly 10,000 members to provide support through shared experiences. If you fall into this category, what are some of the steps you can take to prepare for successful aging?Planning to Live as a Solo AgerThe best kind of plan for almost anything is, naturally, to plan. If we dont do that, we may leave critical decisions to disconnected relatives, acquaintances, or ultimately overburdened, court-appointed strangers who have no idea what we need and want. Considering herself staunchly independent, Maritas lack of planning was twofold: she was in denial about her own aging process, and at the same time she figured the experience of seeing her parents through lifes end stages would enable her to apply all that knowledge to herself if the time came.While in some respects her experience puts her a step ahead of many of her contemporaries, her reasoning does not allow for what can happen when her mobility is compromised, cognitive capacity is diminished, or myriad other conditions where she may need more help than she can give to herself. Maritas upcoming surgery was a wake-up call, making her acutely aware of what steps she should have taken and scrambling to put as many as possible in place.Understand the Levels Between Senior Independence and Assisted LivingYesface things and research them, laying them out as early and comprehensively as you can. Avoidance will only get you so far. The antidote for anxiety, feeling isolated, and depressionthree issues elder orphans and solo agers have expressed are problems for themis action. Goethe said, Be bold, and mighty forces will come to your aid. Keren Brown Wilson, known as the pioneer of assisted living, says there are many steps and levels between independence and dependence. She recommends interdependence: a mutual reliance on one another on the path to better aging.Think about trained caregivers for when you may need help with activities of daily living (ADLs) and a fiduciary or senior care advisor for your financial needs including Long-Term Care insurance. Go out and cultivate friendships if you dont already have them with other elder orphans or solo agers. People in similar situations may have more time to give you if the need arises, as you can give to them.Build a Senior Support Network That WorksIf you dont know how to go about something, network with people in your community. This may include professionals and others you know at work, where you volunteer, doctors, dentists, lawyers, librarians, teachers, salon and store owners, as well as neighbors. We all age and ahead of that most of us have aging parents or had parents who got up in years. That kind of personal experience is invaluable in terms of recommending others they trust who can help you put things in order now and down the line.Communities for Successful AgingGet Involved!With the rising tide of graying Baby Boomers, city and business leaders and policymakers need to embrace the task of developing solutions for better aging. This needs to be done on a nationwide basis. Elder orphans and solo agers are affected at even deeper levels than their counterparts who are surrounded by family and friends in a position to help. In some locations, there are more resources already in place in the realm of affordable transportation, technology training, respite care, senior advocacy, nutrition oversight, and home health care. But we have a long way to go.If you are an elder orphan or solo ager looking for involvement in your own community, turning your attention to the cause can bring awareness and even expedite results from which everyone can benefit.(* Name has been changed for purposes of anonymity.)
Until 100 years ago, many people never traveled more than 10 miles from the home in which they were born or lived in when they got married, which was usually down the street or the next farm over. Families remained grouped together for many reasons, including having emigrated from a foreign country and starting a new life together. There was strength in numbers: both economic advantages and in perpetuating long-held traditions that would tie loved ones together in the face of new challenges. Where seniors were concerned, the expectation that younger family members would always care for them was impliedand something not all that difficult if people were living within steps of one another.Clearly things have changed, and adult children can be hundreds and thousands of miles away from aging parents. This can make it challenging to determine changes in physical, mental and emotional health, often leading to stress and guilt. While long-distance caregiving isnt always the answer, there are things families can do to help ensure their senior loved ones needs are monitored and met.1 Hold a Family Meeting to Plan In-Home Care for a Senior Loved OneFirst, organizationally, if there are multiple adult children and other family members that can provide long-distance care, have a family meetingin person or video chatto decide what everyones strengths and skillsets are and what their availability is. Tantamount to that, realistically evaluate how much each can do, knowing that a trusted neighbor or someone else outside the family and local to the senior may need to be hired to fill in any gaps.If a family member is better at managing finances, for example, s/he should assume that responsibility when the time comes, always with written permission. A Merrill Lynch study revealed about 92 percent of family caregivers are managing their loved ones finances, including monitoring and paying bills from bank accounts, handling insurance claims, filing taxes, and overseeing investments.2 Communicate with Your Aging Loved One Every DayIts important to check in with an aging parent every day, even several times a day depending on the state of health, particularly if that individual lives alone. If the senior is adept at technology, FaceTime or other forms of video chat are always preferable as visuals are a useful tool in gauging changes. Today there are a variety of simpler forms of senior-friendly video call apps and devices available. These include but are not limited to the Jitterbug Smart3, GrandPad, and CallGenie (British-based product now available in the U.S.).3 Connect Regularly with Your Beloved Seniors Healthcare ProvidersSchedule regular calls with physicians, visiting nurses, and/or others for up-to-date information about you loved ones health and evolving needs. If an in-home senior care agency is involved, consistent updates should be part of the protocol.4 Set Up a Personal Emergency Response System to Maintain a Seniors IndependenceSometimes dubbed high-tech guardian angels, personal emergency response systems (PERS) support safe and independent living. At the touch of a button (or in some cases by voice activation) an immediate notification is sent to first responders when a fall or other medical emergency is detected. PERS devices can be worn by the senior as a pendant, or a unit can be set up strategically inside the home to provide 24/7 monitoring services.5 Obtain a Smart Pill Dispenser for Medication ManagementAs people age, memory can be affected with issues that include failure to take medication or not recalling if a dose was taken or not. Multiple medications are also a byproduct of aging and facing an array of bottles every day can be confusing and disorienting for seniors. A user-friendly solution lies in medication management with automatic pill dispensers, as these smart devices for healthcare can do so much more than hold apportioned pills in a little plastic box. Smart pill devices organize medications and ensure the correct dose is dispensed at the right time, and some can also notify the caregiver if a dose is missed.6 Explore Alternative Senior Living ArrangementsIs an aging parent amenable to moving closer to adult children? Independent living and assisted living fall under the broad banner of senior living communities and can make the stress that accompanies long-distance caregiving a thing of the past. Many seniors and their families are unsure where to start their search for assisted living and other senior housing options.7 Plan More Frequent Visits to Keep Tabs on Your Elderly Loved Ones WelfareWork, raising families, community responsibilities, and everything else can make life overwhelming today. But if a parent or grandparent is aging, theres no better way to monitor needs than to visit as often as possibleeven for a long weekend now and then. If there are multiple adult siblings or young adult grandchildren, spreading the visits out among family members can ease the burden of constant traveling and help ensure changes in health and mobility do not go undetected.Besides, the opportunity to spend time with mom or dad in their sunset years is precious, and something you will never have again. In your effort to monitor things and provide support, which no one argues can be time consuming and stressful, make sure to slow down and listen. As the saying goes, When a senior dies, a library closes.8 Ask for Information and Guidance from a Trusted Senior ResourceKnow that an Amada Senior Care advisor has the expertise and knowledge to assist without obligation as families with aging loves ones navigate their senior care journey. Click HERE to find an Amada office near you or call (866) 752-1961.
Westminster Point Pleasant offers active senior living in Bradenton with a focus on providing residents with peace of mind and a plan for their future. Here's what sets their community apart:Maintenance-free living: Residents can enjoy their active lifestyle to the fullest without the burden of home maintenance. The dedicated staff takes care of all home upkeep, from repairs to landscaping, allowing residents to focus on the activities they enjoy.Life Plan Community: Westminster Point Pleasant is a Life Plan Community, offering residents a comprehensive plan for their future healthcare needs. With a full complement of healthcare and supportive services on campus, residents have access to short-term rehabilitation, assisted living, and long-term nursing care as needed. Priority access to healthcare services: As a resident of Westminster Point Pleasant, you'll have priority access to a range of healthcare services, ensuring that you receive the support and assistance you need to maintain your independence and quality of life.Financial stability: Westminster Communities of Florida is the state's largest not-for-profit senior living organization, with a strong financial foundation dating back to 1954. Residents can have confidence in the stability and reliability of the community, knowing that their resources are being managed with good stewardship.Overall, Westminster Point Pleasant offers active senior living with a focus on providing residents with a worry-free lifestyle and a comprehensive plan for their future healthcare needs. It's a fiscally sound choice for those seeking a vibrant and secure retirement community in Bradenton.
Assisted living at Westminster Point Pleasant offers residents the support they need to maintain an engaging and independent lifestyle, with the peace of mind of 24/7 assistance. Here's what sets their assisted living program apart:Customized support: Residents receive just the right level of support and assistance tailored to their individual needs, ensuring that they can maintain their dignity and independence while receiving the care they require.Variety of waterfront apartments: Residents can choose from a variety of waterfront apartments, all elegantly appointed with private bathrooms, and some featuring kitchens or kitchenettes, allowing for a comfortable and personalized living space.Comprehensive services included: The monthly fee for assisted living includes a range of lifestyle-enhancing services, such as assistance with activities of daily living, medication management, restaurant-style dining, housekeeping, laundry services, utilities, and 24-hour security, among others.Person-Centered Care philosophy: Westminster Communities of Florida's Person-Centered Care philosophy ensures that each resident receives personalized support while maintaining their dignity and individuality.Access to amenities and health services: Residents have access to a host of campus amenities and health services, including the exclusive My W Life well-being program, life-enriching activities, scheduled transportation, a Health Resource Center, Rapid Recovery short-stay rehabilitation, outpatient therapy services, and access to skilled nursing care.Overall, assisted living at Westminster Point Pleasant provides residents with a supportive and enriching environment where they can thrive and receive the care they need while enjoying an active and engaging lifestyle.
The skilled nursing services at Westminster Point Pleasant's Health Center offer comprehensive care and support for individuals in need of short- or long-term assistance. Here's what sets their services apart:24/7 nursing support: Residents have access to around-the-clock nursing care to address their changing needs, providing peace of mind for both residents and their families.Private and shared-suite accommodations: The Health Center offers a range of accommodation options to suit individual preferences, ensuring comfort and privacy during the stay.Comprehensive care: Whether individuals require short-term rehabilitation or long-term skilled nursing care, the Health Center provides tailored services to support their health and well-being.Access to community amenities: Residents have the opportunity to enjoy all the amenities offered at Westminster Point Pleasant's community, including waterfront living, delightful dining options, life-enriching activities, a beauty and barber salon, a library, a heated outdoor swimming pool, visiting areas, and more.Person-Centered Care philosophy: The Person-Centered Care philosophy ensures that each resident receives customized support while maintaining dignity and individuality. This approach emphasizes the importance of honoring residents' preferences and empowering them to make choices about their care.Commitment to quality care: Westminster Point Pleasant is committed to providing the highest-quality care, as evidenced by its recognition in the LeadingAge Quality First program, which emphasizes quality assurance and continuous improvement.Overall, the skilled nursing services at Westminster Point Pleasant's Health Center offer a comprehensive and compassionate approach to care, ensuring that residents receive the support they need to thrive and maintain their quality of life.