How Do We Choose the Right Level of Care for a Senior Parent?

Dear Donna:

My dad is 84 years old and starting to experience a few health issues. While he is still fairly independent, he has some vision loss that has caused him to largely give up driving. He lives in a rural community in Michigan and without transportation, he seems to be getting isolated and lonely.

I’ve been looking at senior living websites and trying to figure out what type of care might be the best fit for him. He doesn’t really need much help, especially if the community offers transportation. But I know at his age, that could change quickly.

How do we figure out what type of care we should be looking for? Any advice would be appreciated.

Sincerely,

Steve in Holland, MI

Understanding Level of Care in Senior Living Communities

Dear Steve:

What a great question! Determining the right level of senior living care for a parent can be challenging. It blends objectively assessing medical needs, discussing safety, and considering personal preferences. A structured approach helps families find a community that is a good fit for physical needs while also honoring a parent’s dignity and autonomy.

Here are some suggestions to help you make an informed decision:

Start with a clear picture of your dad’s current abilities.

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs): Can he safely bathe, dress, groom, toilet, transfer from bed to chair, and feed himself without help? Even minor difficulties in one area can signal a need for more support.
Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs): Can he manage medications, finances, housekeeping, transportation, meal planning, and communication (phone, email)?
Mobility and safety: Does your dad walk independently or does he require the use of a cane or walker? Is there a history of falls? How are his balance and stamina?
Cognitive functioning: Are his memory, judgment, and decision-making intact? Have you noticed any confusion, forgetfulness, or repeating of questions?

Evaluate medical needs.

Chronic health issues: Chronic conditions and care tasks can also play a role. Does your dad need help with medication management, injections, or wound care?
Future concerns: Does your dad have a diagnosis of any kind that will worsen over time? Will he require a nurse to monitor for health changes? If so, what timeframe, if any, has his physician provided?

Prioritize safety considerations.

Supervision level: With the new health issues you mentioned, is he expected to need 24/7 supervision, or would regular check-ins and on-call assistance suffice?
Emergency response: Would a system that detects falls and sends alerts provide reassurance, or is more robust staffing needed?

Exploring Senior Living Options by Services and Amenities

Once you have thought through your dad’s current situation and any anticipated changes, you might find it easier to match his needs to types of care available in senior living communities.

Independent living: This option is suitable for someone who is mostly self-sufficient but wants amenities, social opportunities, and safety features (monitoring, emergency alerts) as a precaution. The focus in an independent living community is more on lifestyle than on caregiving and clinical assistance.
Assisted living: When help with ADLs or medication management is needed on a regular basis, yet there is no need for 24/7 medical oversight, assisted living is appropriate. These communities offer meals, housekeeping, transportation, and social activities. Assisted living communities can be supportive of vision loss for seniors, like your dad, who are experiencing challenges.
Specialized dementia care: For parents with moderate-to-severe cognitive impairment or behaviors requiring structured routines, secure memory care programs are a solution to consider. They offer thoughtfully-designed environments and dedicated staff.

I hope this information is beneficial to you. I would also encourage you to call one of the Heritage senior communities in the Holland area if you have any questions or would like to schedule a personal visit.

Kind regards,

Donna

Shelley