When one thinks of elder care in Texas, one inevitably thinks of a nursing home where their grandmother probably lived decades ago. When they think of senior care in Texas, they might picture their grandmother in a nursing home.Β
However, today’s “nursing homes” are vastly different from what you’re possibly picturing. Large institutional facilities have inherent flaws in the current scenario.
A nursing home will most likely have an increased patient-to-nurse/aide ratio, which means that a caregiver may be responsible for many patients at once. This results in less or no personalized senior care and, in extreme cases, negligence and abuse. This abuse can cause medical emergencies, trauma, and even death. Fortunately, there are professionals committed to representing seniors harmed in TX nursing homes to help them obtain justice and compensation for medical care and other expenses.
Because of the negligence seen in nursing homes, family members are frequently looking for alternative facilities for elderly people who require additional assistance.
The following alternatives may be safer and more convenient options than nursing homes, where the elderly still receive assistance in performing daily tasks and medical attention as needed.
1. Adult Daycare Services
You may have to leave your children at a daycare center while you work, but did you know that there are adult daycare centers as well?
Adult daycare facilities are for seniors who have difficulty caring for themselves during the daytime. Every daycare center is unique, but a lot of them focus on keeping seniors healthy and safe while also entertaining them.
Meals, entertainment, social activities, and health-related assistive care are all common features of adult daycare centers.
If your loved elderly are left alone during the day while you work, they may become bored, forlorn, and without the assistance they require. Daycare for older adults is a safe place for your aging parent to socialize with other people their age.
2. In-Home Care
Most seniors prefer to age in the place they call home. Living in familiar surroundings provides security and comfort to older people, particularly those suffering from dementia. In-home care services are given by professional caregivers who come to the senior’s residence as needed.
Seniors who require constant supervision will benefit from 24-hour services given by caregivers on split shifts. Independent seniors with few needs may only need services once every week. In-home care is adaptable, and care plans are frequently tailored to the requirements of care recipients.
In-home care services that the elderly can expect include assistance with ADLs (activities of daily living) such as toileting, bathing, and grooming. Professional caregivers provide transportation to doctor’s appointments and also prepare meals per the dietary restrictions of seniors.
3. Respite Care
Family members frequently assist older adults. Unfortunately, those members of the family are then more likely to experience caregiver burnout, which can lead to health complications.Β
Taking a break from caregiving can help to reduce that risk. Respite care is an option that allows seniors to receive the assistance they require from trained caregivers while providing family members with a break from caregiving.
A home care agency could provide respite care. Senior folks can also receive respite care by temporarily relocating to senior living communities.
4. CCRCS
For seniors who are capable of living independently but are concerned about their care needs rising as they age, continued-care retirement communities (CCRCS) could be an excellent option.Β
At first, the elder will live in “independent living” in their residence, often with provision for amenities such as housekeeping, restaurant-style dining, transportation, and social activities. If the elder becomes unable to live independently, they can move into an assisted living program run by the community for additional assistance and eventually into hospice care if necessary.
One benefit of continuing care is that once the elder is in the community, access to higher levels of care, like palliative care, becomes fairly seamless.Β
5. Hospice Service
In their final days, seniors may choose hospice care. This type of care is designed for elderly people who have a terminal illness and are expected to remain alive for six months at most. Hospice care assists those who need comfort rather than treatment for their illness.
Standard hospice care services involve medical care, hospital equipment provision, pain-relieving medications, and therapies such as physiological, speech, and occupational therapy. Both the senior and his or her family receive emotional and spiritual counseling. Family respite care is also an option.
Conclusion
As the country’s geriatric population grows, the variety of facilities available to senior citizens will grow proportionally. This uptick in the senior population also means that seniors will be more vocal about the types of facilities they want to use in their golden years.
Of course, these are not the only options for senior living. Adult foster care, for instance, is also available to elders.Β
