Where Should Your Senior Parents Live?

Your parents gave you a great place to live while growing up, so when they start to get old, it's time for you to repay the favor. Seniors have many living options, and all options have their own pros and cons. If you are struggling to decide where your senior parent should live, check out these three possibilities.

Many people simply move their senior parents into their home, which comes with many perks for everyone involved. You and your parent will get to spend lots of time together, which can be crucial during these later years, especially for your parent.

Loneliness can be detrimental for anyone, and older people are often more secluded. They may not be able to get out to interact with people, or everyone they know may already be gone. According to a University of California, San Francisco study, over 40 percent of seniors felt lonely. Plus, loneliness can increase the risk of mortality by 26 percent, and it increases the risk of dementia by 64 percent.

For this reason, having your loved one in your home with family will help, but the downside is the cost if your parent is disabled. With minor disabilities, such as low vision, you can make a few inexpensive changes around your house to make the home safer for your parent. However, if they need constant care and attention, you may not have time to give them proper care or the money to hire help.

For seniors who need a lot of attention and care, a nursing home may be the better idea. In a nursing home, your loved one gets round-the-clock care, so even if they need something in the middle of the night, someone is there to help. Nursing homes also create a schedule for your loved one, and many facilities provide activities to do, such as Bible readings, movies, bingo, etc.

CNAs who work in nursing homes are often overworked and underpaid, however, and with so many other patients, your loved one may not get as much attention as they need. In severe cases, this can lead to neglect.

If you do need to put your elderly parent in a nursing home, make sure you shop around for the best home for your loved one. Make sure to visit any nursing home before you send your parent there. While there, watch how the staff treats other patients and each other. Make sure the place is clean and the residents seem happy.

Finally, if your parent is still capable of taking care of themselves but they would like to be surrounded by people their own age, it may be best for them to move into a senior community. These communities allow your loved one to continue to care for themselves, but if help is needed, it is usually readily available.

Many senior communities also have club houses, salons, or other facilities so your parent doesn't even have to travel far for services and entertainment. Many also provide buses to local stores, which is great for seniors who can no longer drive.

Last, one of the biggest advantages to living in a senior community is being surrounded by similar people. Your parent may have a lot of different experiences and beliefs than you, which can make them feel isolated if they don’t have peers. Putting them with others who have shared the same experiences can go a long way in helping your parent make friends and stay social.

Above all, make sure your senior parent is getting the care they need and they are not isolated or lonely. If you would like to know more about senior living or senior communities, contact us at Robert Cottingham Company today.