Is it time to move to a place that offers assistance also known as alternate placement?
It may not only be an emotional time, but the different options and finding the right fit for you can be challenging as well. So whether you are trying to plan ahead for yourself or if you are someone trying to find the right setting for your parent, I am here to try to help you make some sense of it all. Also keep in mind that there are placement agencies that will assist you and are familiar with the different options in the area that you are in, but also note that the service is at no cost to you. The placement agency is paid by the homes, so why not? There are quite a few agencies out there but I prefer a smaller agency because they are more likely to take you to tour a few places. If you live in the Phoenix, Az area, I recommend Sonoran Senior Placement. This is a smaller agency where the owner will definitely provide you with a more personal approach.
There comes a time when the place you or your loved one has been living, isn’t the best option any longer; a time when living in a house with stairs, narrow doorways and things like yardwork are not the best idea. Maybe its time to make things like cooking, laundry, cleaning and having no one around to help, a thing of the past. As we age, it often becomes more difficult to get around and we need someone to help us out. Yes, I imagine the thought of leaving your home is down right unimaginable or scary, but the reality is, there are some really great options out there.
There are several options of places to live where you can get the assistance you need, but it may be difficult to understand the difference between the types of living settings, so I’d like to help you gain a better understanding so you can make the best decision for yourself or your loved one.
I will talk about 5 different types of living settings:
Independent Living (ILF)
This is typically an apartment in a building or a freestanding home for people 55 and older where you will care for yourself except you will do this in a place where meals and housekeeping are part of the rent. These are a great option because if you are able to get around safely on your own, but don’t want the responsibility of things like cooking, cleaning and laundry, they will take care of these things for you. The added benefit is they have lots of activities going on that you can join. It’s a great place to make friends that live in the same building. In some of the larger places, they may have holiday parties, movie nights, card games, fitness centers, pools, salons/barber, etc. They often provide transportation to the store as well. When choosing an independent living community, you may want to consider a continuing care retirement community, also known as a CCRC. This is a place that offers independent living and assisted living options on the same campus. This makes for a smoother transition if you should start to need more assistance including nursing care.
Assisted Living (ALF)
If you find that you need a little more assistance than what is available at independent living, such as help with activities of daily living, ie. showering, getting to the bathroom, dressing, scheduling medications and overall more supervision, you may consider assisted living as a better option. This setting allows you to call for assistance any time of the day or night. Assisted living communities can range from a scaled down apartment with a mini kitchen, to a shared living area, but most have a group dining area and common areas for social activities. Don’t be fooled by the old way of thinking about these places as depressing, I have seen patients in some of these places that are beautiful, full of life and put my home to shame! Often times when it comes to pricing, there are different levels of care offered that will determine the cost.
Board and care/adult group home
These are similar to assisting living facilities in that they offer 24 hour care, but typically these are free standing homes that house about 5 people, although there are some that house up to 10 people depending on their licensing and size. You may have a private bedroom or share a room with someone else, but the common areas are shared. It’s like being roommates. The benefit of group homes is that there is a lower ratio of patient to caretaker. The caregivers only have 5 people to care for instead of 10-15.
Memory Care
This is a specialized setting where the ratio of provider to resident is less and the caregivers provide care 24/7. The caregivers provide assistance with all activities of daily living as well as meals. These caregivers are trained in working with people with dementia in order to help them feel at ease. There is usually a regular daily schedule to provide structure.
I hope that I have helped you to understand the different options out there and can feel more comfortable with making a choice. Again, I understand leaving the familiarity of your home can be hard, but keep an open mind. It’s much easier to move sooner rather than later when you are forced to make a quick decision because you can no longer live alone or your spouse can no longer take care of you. Get out there and explore all there is to offer; I think you will be surprised!
