As our elders age, they may lose their ability to function independently. Although the intensity of their cognitive and neuromuscular degeneration is highly variable and depends on several additional factors, some deterioration is to be expected among the older generations on account of natural causes alone. Unfortunately, certain realities of life, work, situation, and disease can make taking care of troubled seniors difficult at most times and impossible at others. Fortunately, there are respite care facilities that can make this increasingly stressful task more manageable.
What is a Respite Care Facility?
A respite care facility within somewhere like this Chelsea assisted living community provides seniors with temporary assisted-living quarters when their caretaker(s) decide to take a break to rejuvenate themselves. Their services also come into play when the family members/caretakers cannot be at home due to work/personal engagements temporarily or at regular intervals. However, not all respite care facilities are equal and that is a part of what makes this post so essential.
We will be getting into the kind of lifestyle that seniors should be expecting at each type of respite care facility. It is up to caretakers at places like benchmark senior living at hamden to take the necessary steps for ensuring that all standards are indeed maintained at the facility. The following information should provide readers with a general idea regarding the kind of respite care facility that would be best suited to their needs.
Adult Day Center
People usually think of adult day centers, aka senior day care facilities while trying to find a regular respite care facility. They are well suited for families who have a senior member at home who cannot be left at home unsupervised. This could be a result of cognitive decline (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, etc.) or physical ailment (paralysis, fractures, etc.). Before choosing an adult day care center, do make sure that they are medically equipped to handle the specific reason behind the senior family member’s dependence. Also, see what plans they have for keeping their guests motivated and happy.
Quite similar to a child day care, the senior is dropped off during office hours in the morning and picked up by the caretaker(s) on their way back home. This is not the only possible arrangement of course, but it is how a typical adult day care works.
Assisted Living Community
While they are generally considered to be a more permanent or long-term solution, some assisted living communities do offer respite care as well. For example, respite care facilities are also available at most Brandywine Assisted Living Communities, despite them being better known for their long-term senior care services.
As opposed to adult day care centers, assisted living communities are far better equipped and staffed to help all seniors lead a more fulfilling, comfortable, and safe life. This is to be expected as their permanent and all-inclusive setup naturally allows these communities to provide a higher quality of respite care than any temporary senior care facility possibly can.
Do not forget that seniors are not children and even if they lose some of their mental and/or physical faculties, they are not to be treated as such. Ensure that the person you are taking care of is properly introduced to the respite care facility first, before leaving them in there for the first time. Also keep your ears open for any complaints that they might have about the facility they are currently visiting.
