For many seniors, the transition into eldercare can be daunting. Seniors want to maintain their independence forever, and the thought of ‘senior care’ or ‘going to a home’ can be extremely off-putting, to say the least. The imagery of sitting at home comfortably one day, then having a slip in the tub and the very next day being dragged by family members to a retirement community sticks in many seniors’ minds as a probable nightmare. That’s why it is important to make the transition a smooth and comfortable one.
The advantage of senior home care is that the senior stays at home. Nothing, essentially, has to change. Many seniors have a caregiver who only comes for a few hours a day, or even a few hours a week. As their requirements change, however, the caregiver’s hours may start to increase. This can go all the way up to 24/7 care for seniors with severe health problems, all the while staying in the family home that they know and love.
There are, of course, instances where staying at home becomes inconvenient (distance to healthcare, accessibility, financials, etc.) and the family may decide to move to a senior care facility. This is quite sincerely the hardest part. Start by integrating into the community – for example, visiting the site often before permanently moving there. If possible, stay there a few nights a week and then return to the home.
The main idea is to transition comfortably, and not make any unsettling changes.