As your loved ones grow older, they can become more vulnerable to the challenges of living alone. Their living situations may no longer be practical and finding appropriate housing can be difficult, both logistically and financially.
However, there are some great practical and affordable options out there, so you can sleep easy knowing that your aging family is safe. These seven options cover all bases, so you can find the accommodation that best suits your loved one’s needs.
Same House
It might be your first instinct to sell the family home and downsize, but if your aging parents are content in the area they’ve lived in for years, you can save yourself the stress and expense of acquiring a new home and work with what you’ve already got.
If your loved ones are capable of living independently, then staying in their current home can often be the simplest option available. You may wish to modify the house to make it more accommodating to the requirements of the elderly. This might include restructuring room layouts and installing medical alert systems for emergencies and peace of mind.
Assisted Communities
If your elderly loved ones are unable or uninterested in staying in their current home, moving them to an assisted community can alleviate the struggles of everyday life, as you can’t reasonably be there to assist them 100% of the time.
Simple tasks such as maintaining cleanliness and hygiene can become a struggle with age, so an assisted living facility enables people to maintain a good amount of independence to enjoy their retirement, as well as the aid of help where it is needed.
Independent Living
Similar to an assisted community, independent living enables your elderly loved ones to maintain a great amount of independence, with any potential support they might need available to them. These housing options allow people to interact freely with their community while receiving the basic requirements that they might struggle with if they were isolated, such as housekeeping, dining, and more.
Continuing Care Retirement Community
Continuing care retirement communities have different care options available depending on the needs of your loved ones. A common solution in the United States, these life plan communities host accommodation options for a variety of care needs, ranging from independent living, assisted living, and even skilled nursing care.
These communities offer a great solution for those whose health may deteriorate in the near future but are currently still able to live somewhat independently.
House Sharing
Growing old alone in the family home can be an extremely lonely experience, one known to exasperate certain mental health conditions in the elderly. This is a very common scenario found in the older generations, meaning there are lots of other lonely people living by themselves in houses big enough for two.
House sharing with a long-term friend or another elderly family member cuts down on the cost of food, rent and bills, as well as keeping the mind active through socializing, keeping loneliness at bay.
Senior Care at Home
Senior care at home is a great short-term option when your loved ones are showing the first signs that they may need some assistance and care. You can keep them in a familiar setting, be it your home or theirs, and have them receive the support they need from trained professionals. Your parents will be able to receive daily care while having you and other loved ones close.
However, it must be said that this style of care is typically better for short periods, as long-term care options are considered from a financial and practical perspective.
Nursing Option
If your aging loved ones have a particularly debilitating condition or require around-the-clock care, the nursing home option could be a good route to take. Nursing facilities have large staffs, made up of qualified doctors and nurses that can provide treatment 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Your loved ones will receive comprehensive care with this option, so you don’t have to lose a wink of sleep worrying.
Choosing an appropriate living condition for your aging loved ones is a hard choice and not one that should be taken lightly. Hopefully, with the guidance offered in the article above, you might begin to consider the best options for your loved ones to enjoy a retirement full of joy with the care they require.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional consultation or advice related to your health or finances. No reference to an identifiable individual or company is intended as an endorsement thereof. Some or all of this article may have been generated using artificial intelligence, and it may contain certain inaccuracies or unreliable information. Readers should not rely on this article for information and should consult with professionals for personal advice.